12 Monday 12/07/10 thePublican This WeekProud of Pubs


Have you ever considered trying something different but not known how to go about it or been worried it would fail? Well why not face your fears during Proud of Pubs Week – Matt Eley reports


thePublican 19 - 25 IN ASSOCIATION WITH


NEW WAYS TO DRIVE TRADE


EVER WANTED to try something new in your pub but not known how or been too afraid to try? As part of this year’s Proud of Pubs


Week we are encouraging licensees to overcome their fears and use the Wednesday (July 21) to try something different. This could be as extravagant as looking into the potential of adding a village shop to your business or as simple as trying a different type of event, such as a pub quiz, for the first time.


Help from the Hub


Pub is the Hub is the trade organisa- tion that helps licensees look at ways of diversifying.


Set up nine years ago, with a helping hand from the Prince of Wales no less, it has helped hundreds of pubs deliver new ways of driving trade. This includes creating village shops, post office services or bed and breakfasts. But the key, according to Pub is the Hub director John Longden, is to do something that your community needs.


“For it to be a success you need to talk to people in the community and find out what they want,” he says. “It is not about whether it is right


for you but what is right for them.” Where Pub is the Hub comes in is providing information and ideas and helping licensees secure funding for their schemes.


This appeared to have been given a major boost earlier this year with a pledge of support from former Pubs Minister John Healey. But with a change of government and the emphasis on budgetary savings that money has yet to, and may in fact never, transpire. However, Pub is the Hub did receive a boost recently, with the National Lottery confirming it will provide £140,000 a year for the next three years.


Over that time the organisa- tion, which is currently run as a not-for-profit body and is seeking charity status, will be looking to introduce the scheme in 10 different coun- ties a year.


But one thing it will not be doing is working on any projects in a bid to ‘save pubs’. “The pub has got to be okay in the first place. It is not a way of saving a


Try something different...


Diversifying does not just mean embarking on a major new business. You could also try to add something different to your current offer.


Here are a few ideas:


Half Cut at the Assheton Arms: the pub in Middleton, Manchester, offers a barber service


struggling business,” said Longden. “That is really important and as well as giving people confidence to try things, part of our job


John Longden: ‘You need to talk to people in the community to find out what they want’


The creators of Rock and Roll bingo are keen for pubs to try the game where bingo meets the pub quiz. They have recently developed a new movies theme tunes edition. Details are available at www.rockandrollbingo.co.uk


The Vine Pub in Rugeley Staffordshire, is trying to be


is also making sure they don’t go down the wrong route.


“Really it is all about working together and getting across the social benefits of pubs, which is something as an industry we are starting to get better at, but still don’t do enough of.” So if your pub is ready to try some- thing different, what’s stopping you giving it a go? ■


‘traditional, modern and futuristic’ during Proud of Pubs Week by holding a pub quiz, an acoustic night, and an X-Box night.


And why not give beer and food matching a go? As part of Proud of Pubs Week Robinson’s Brewery is hosting a three-course meal – washed down with an appropriate brew.


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