March 2014 45 Years

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clubmirror March 2014

AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

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AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

Club Kitchen

Recipes for rugby showdown

Club Mirror Awards And the winners are...

Club Mirror HQ

2005 – resolutions or revolutions?

Game on

Latest and greatest at ATEI

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YEARS

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club mirror

MARCH 2014

AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

awards, events and calls to action 42 Call for entries It’s the 22nd Club Awards – and we want you to enter.

47 Clubhouse of the Year Awards announced Calling all golf clubs…your chance to shine.

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clubmirror SOCIAL

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45 March 2014

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clubmirror SOCIAL

50 Hail the Ale

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Club Kitchen

Recipes for rugby showdown

Club Mirror Awards

Don’t miss new brews and old favourites at Club Mirror’s annual Hail the Ale Beer Festival, in association with CAMRA.

news, views, club life and legislation 6 Club World Club Awards announced, WSTA call for action and an All Party Parliamentary Group special.

10 Brands news Who’s doing what, when and why.

13 Legal Eagle Why looking back helps us to look forward – reflections on the club licensing process.

birthday special 17 That was the year that was

And the winners are...

Club Mirror HQ

2005 – resolutions or revolutions?

Game on

Latest and greatest at ATEI

Backing English

YEARS

building the business 54 Club Kitchen

56 Ask the Experts – club websites Looking to revamp the club website? Or build a new one?

Here’s how.

It looks good, tastes good and by golly it does you good. Ring any bells?

34 Spirited performances pay off

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St Patrick’s Day, St David’s Day and Mothering Sunday all in one month. Simple recipes to maximise the revenue opportunities.

Born in 1968, Club Mirror looks at the past 45 years of publication and at the events which helped shaped the fortunes of the UK and its clubs.

29 The great British pint

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57 Product Portfolio It’s classified! Club suppliers ready to field your calls.

From Smirnoff and Cossack to Booth’s and Beefeater, how spirits earned their place at the club bar.

54 38 Bells, bars and jackpots We go back to the future, with Club Mirror’s reflections on gaming in 2003.

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Creating Hospitality

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THE NEW Onwards and upwards – 45 years young

Standard in

Water Boilers

Welcome to a special birthday issue of Club Mirror, celebrating 45 years of publication.

It’s always fascinating to go back in time and see what predictions came true, what has changed – and, of course, what hasn’t!

Just 10 years ago we were discussing the challenge of pulling members away from their TV sets and laptops. This, if anything, has become even harder. But during this time, clubs have worked hard at finding new hooks to keep the club doors swinging open.

Sport – and the camaraderie it engenders – remains a stalwart of club life, whether that’s watching it, playing it or both.

The UK’s enthusiasm for sport in all shapes and forms remains as fresh today as it was when we first launched in 1968. Of course how these hordes are entertained in the club has changed, with sophisticated big screens and sound systems, but the basic club premise is unchanging – a warm welcome in a warm environment amongst like-minded fellow members.

This sense of belonging and ownership plays no small part in the selfregulating nature of clubs, something that was recognised by legislators well over 100 years ago (see this month’s Legal Eagle on pages 13-15).

This, however, has not deterred the government from imposing blanket measures over the years (witness the smoking ban) and nor does it seem likely that it will deter them in the future (witness the Late Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Orders).

Despite this, clubs continue to assert their independence and remain untouched by takeovers, reverse takeovers, mergers and buyouts. They pick and choose their own suppliers, grant or refuse membership and, in short, are in control of their own destiny. This independence means that clubland continues to stand out against the general homogenisation we witness on the high street and in the chains around the country.

Perhaps more important than any of this is the special role that clubs continue to play at the heart of the community. While pubs around them close their doors, clubs are swinging theirs wide open, welcoming a new influx of members.

In short, what a busy 45 years we’ve enjoyed together; here’s to the next 45. Cheers!

clubmirror Editor Caroline Scoular

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Design David Foster

Variable temperature options

Editorial Nick Sellens Events Leigh-Anne Ogilvie, Jill Slingsby

Caroline Scoular

Sean Ferris

Nick Walton

Nick Sellens

Jill Slingsby

Lawrence Hardcastle

Hamish Maclean

Leigh-Anne Ogilvie

Display Advertising Margaret Doherty

Countertop, wall mounted & front of house models

Circulation Jon Hardy Accounts Michael Jeffries, Pam Attrill Publishing Director Sean Ferris

Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing Ltd, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor SW4 1TX. Tel: 01753 272022. Fax: 01753 272 021 Email: caroline@clubmirror.com;

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sean@clubmirror.com; info@clubmirror.com The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Club Mirror does not verify the claims made by advertisers regarding their products.

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clubmirror 5

club world Premier League prosecutes for breach of copyright A pub landlord has been ordered to pay £65,000 in legal costs for breaching the Premier League’s copyright.

The Premier League took Anthony Luxton to court after ‘various football matches’ were shown at the Rhyddings pub in Brynmill, Swansea, between September and December 2012.

The Premier League’s QC, Helen Davies, claimed that the pub breached strict copyright rules by showing live matches using a satellite card from a Danish broadcaster, during which the Premier League’s logo was depicted. The card was only authorised for use in a private home, ‘not for use in commercial premises such as the pub’, she said.

The Premier League welcomed the ruling.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently undertaking our largest ever investigations programme and have commenced legal action against several pubs and will continue to do so.

“Only Sky Sports and BT Sport are authorised to show live Premier League football in pubs in the UK and legitimate commercial subscriptions for use in pubs can be obtained from them.”

The case was the first of up to 100 prosecutions the Premier League is planning to bring up across Wales and England this season.

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Call to action – drop the Alcohol Duty Escalator The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on the industry to work together to persuade the Chancellor to end the Alcohol Duty Escalator. Since its introduction in 2008, tax on wine has increased by 50% and tax on spirits by 44%.

“The Escalator is bad for the economy, bad for business and bad for the consumer. It is vital to spell out clearly to the Chancellor the significant contribution of a great British industry to jobs and growth in the UK,” said Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the WSTA. The WSTA cites independent research from Ernst and Young to support the demand; the research states that scrapping the Alcohol Duty Escalator would create over 6,000 jobs and boost the public finances by £230m in 2014 alone. The WSTA has issued the following five ways in which supporters can help:

1. Email your local MP via the Call Time on Duty website, found at www.calltimeonduty.co.uk and request that they write to the Chancellor on your behalf (you don’t need to know who your MP is to do this) 2. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to email their local MP 3. Follow the campaign on Twitter@CallTimeOnDuty and Tweet followers to also get behind the campaign 4. Send a letter or a press release to your local paper and outline the impact of the Escalator on your business 5. Display a copy of the campaign poster http://www.wsta.co.uk/ images/budget/2014/Call-Time-on-Duty-E-Poster.pdf

Beer Festival date announced

Devon members go the extra mile

The sixth annual Club Mirror Beer Festival will take place on 20 November in Manchester – expertly run for us again by the team at CAMRA. It will see a host of new brews and old friends in all their cask glory. A big thank goes to our real ale brewers with particular reference to long-term sponsor

Marston’s Beer Company who last year provided Marston’s Pedigree, EPA and Cumberland Ale, and to new supporter Carlsberg UK through whom all other ales were provided.

• For free registration turn to page 50.

New regional trade shows Club Mirror is launching regional trade shows with the aim of bringing clubs and suppliers together. The events will be free to attend and will enable clubs to network and catch up on latest news and services in an informal, friendly environment.

Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris said: “We have run several of these trade shows in the past, where we bring together clubs and suppliers. They’re great fun as well as informative, and the feedback from clubs and suppliers alike is

• For more details visit www.wsta.co.uk

always very positive. We’re keen to do all we can to help clubs in the current economic environment. We know that the trade shows are a great way to do that.”

The first event will be held in June. Anyone interested in registering their club should email info@clubmirror.com with the club name and contact details.

• Any companies wanting to get involved should contact LeighAnne on 01753 272022 or email info@clubmirror.com.

L to r: Richard Jones (Club Chairman), Councillor Neal Davey, Phil Gibbs FBII (Club Treasurer), Mark Pincombe (Accounts Manager, Dransfields), member Mark Ridge, Neil Parish MP and members Pete Kavanagh and Jay Benbow.

Members of Tiverton Constitutional Club in Devon are taking part in the Banjul Challenge, a 4000-mile driving challenge from Plymouth to Banjul in the Gambia. The aim is to raise funds for Devon soldiers suffering from Combat Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Team Clueless, as they call themselves, are among 15 teams taking part in this year’s challenge. All of the team have military backgrounds and have restored a Land Rover Discovery for the epic journey.

Business partners will be assisting with the fundraising and sponsorship forms are available in the club.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton & Honiton, joined club officials and supporters to wish the team well on their venture.

Tiverton Constitutional Club won Committee of the Year at Club Mirror’s 2013 Club Awards.

www.clubmirror.com

Call for entries Club Mirror is launching the 2014 Club Awards. Now in their 22nd year, the Awards take place in November and recognise the commitment of clubs, committees and individuals who work to ensure a healthy future for their clubs.

Last year’s Awards proved once again that clubs are driving their business through professionalism and inventiveness, ensuring that members have compelling rea-

sons to keep coming back. “Clubs who make it through to the finals

use their success to raise the club’s profile, attract media attention, encourage new members and to prove to existing ones that their money is being well spent,” said the Award’s Leigh- Ann Ogilvie.

To register for fast-track entry, just send your club details to info@clubmirror.com. You will be sent an Express Entry Form electronically.

• See page 42 for more details on the 2014 Awards.

Sri Lanka cricket tour screens on Sky Sky Sports has strengthened its coverage of the England cricket team with a new deal for two tours to Sri Lanka.

Sky Sports will offer live coverage of England’s visits to Sri Lanka in November this year and then again in 2018. November’s matches com-

prise five One-Day Internationals and two T20 (Twenty20) matches, while the 2018 tour sees three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and one T20 being played out.

In January Sky also announced a new three-year deal for the Indian Premier League (IPL) from

2015 (ITV4 has broadcast live IPL coverage since 2010 and will air this year’s competition) and agreements were also announced for the British & Irish Lions, PGA Tour golf, Super League, WWE®, Scottish Football, Cricket New Zealand and speedway.

Club celebrates an action-packed year Hoebridge Golf Centre has been celebrating a bumper 12 months, capped off with its win of Club Mirror’s Charity Club of the Year Award, 2013.

Earlier in the year, the centre had been rewarded for its sustainable business operations and in June, Senior General Manager Mike O’Connell earned the globallyrecognised Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.

Mike O’Connell, Hoebridge Golf

Centre Senior General Manager, said: “Our success is a byproduct of fantastic customers who support our initiatives with enthusiasm, and the staff here, who happily go the extra mile, whether it is to help fundraise for charitable causes, assist the smooth running of events or keep the golf facilities up to scratch to keep people coming back for more.”

Hoebridge has two 18 hole courses, one nine hole course and,

Real Ale Club of the Year

Senior General Manager Mike O’Connell with the copy of Club Mirror which announced Hoebridge Golf Centre’s award win.

new in 2013, the Pirate Island Adventure Course with its obstaclestrewn 18-hole putting layout.

The winner of the 2014 CAMRA Club of the Year, in association with Club Mirror, will be revealed in next month’s issue. The Super Round winners were Barnton Cricket Club, Cheltenham Motor Club, Kinver Constitutional Club and Orpington Liberal Club. All four clubs have now been visited and judged again and now wait for the results.

Entries are now invited for this year’s 2015 Club of the Year competition in association with Club Mirror.

Publisher Sean Ferris said: “We’ve worked closely with CAMRA for many years now, and are delighted, therefore, that we continue to work together to applaud real ale in clubs.”

CAMRA’s John Holland, said: “CAMRA continues to work in partnership with Club Mirror magazine to run the joint Real Ale Club of the Year competition and expect this to raise the profile of quality real ale in clubs even higher.”

Regional winners will be announced, and Super Round Winners will be presented with an award at Club Mirror’s 2014 Club Awards. The ultimate winner will be announced in spring 2015.

Sean Ferris said: “Real ale clubs are thriving and take great pride in serving only the best to their members. They recognise that real ale provides a point of difference from local competition, and that it now appeals across the spectrum of age groups and genders.

It’s a huge accolade to become a Regional winner. To become a SuperRound winner and – of course – the ultimate winner, is something that real ale clubs across the country should be working hard to achieve.”

• For more details please contact us on 01753 272022 e. info@clubmirror.com

DJ O’Connell joins Ultimate Fighting Championship show Christian O’Connell has joined BT Sport’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) team.

The Absolute Radio DJ, who is also presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk and a standup comedian, will co-present the hour-long magazine show UFC:

www.clubmirror.com

Beyond The Octagon with Gareth A Davies and Caroline Pearce.

Christian O’Connell said: “I’m a massive UFC fan and moving from my couch where I currently mumble to myself during fights, to a studio makes perfect sense.

UFC, like BT Sport is growing big-

ger every day and it’s an exciting time to be part of that.”

UFC: Beyond The Octagon goes behind the scenes with top UFC fighters and personalities and discusses the week’s action and the latest UFC news from around the world.

The show broadcasts on Tuesdays at 9pm on BT Sport 1.

BT Sport has exclusive rights to the UFC and shows all the main cards from live UFC events screened on US television as well as the US-televised preliminary cards from the big events.

clubmirror 7

news betterspecial business technology

ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NON-PROFIT MAKING MEMBERS’ CLUBS Club Mirror joined the CIU at the most recent All Party Parliamentary Group Non-Profit Making Members’ Club meeting, held at the House of Commons. Highlights of the minutes are published below.

1. General The Group passed on their best wishes to Lord Bilston for a speedy recovery.

PRESENT: Brian Binley Stephen Hepburn David Crausby Ian Mearns

2. Minutes of meeting held on 22 October 2013 These were accepted as a true record.

IN ATTENDANCE: George Dawson CMD (President CIU) John Tobin (Vice-President CIU) David Clelland Philip Smith CBE (Secretary ACC) Charles Littlewood (ACC) Colin Armstrong (National Executive Member CIU) David Walton (National Executive Member CIU) Stephen Goulding (Office Manager CIU) Norman Pritchard-Woollett (Administrative Consultant) (CIU) Chris Haley (MD Dransfields) Sean Ferris (Publisher Club Mirror)

3. Late Night Levy (LNL) and Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROs) Proposed National Body of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs): David Clelland spoke to Dave Watts who has now spoken to the PCC for Merseyside, Jane Kennedy. It was a pity that the meetings set up with Tony Lloyd, the Manchester PCC sometime ago did not take place as earlier progress could have been made. However, a proposal will be taken to the National Body of PCCs of which Tony Lloyd is Chair, expressing the view that Non-profit making private clubs be exempted from Late Night and Early Morning Levies.

Meeting with the Home Office: At the last APPG executive meeting it was agreed that Brian Binley would request a meeting with Home Office Minister Norman Baker.

The APPG would like to discuss with the Minister the imposition of LNLs and EMROs. These are now being implemented by some local authorities and, while that is not being contested in itself, we would like to draw the Minister’s attention to the serious detrimental effect these levies will have on non-profit making social clubs caught up in the designated areas. In discussions with Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners we have confirmed our previous contention that the clubs we represent are not the cause of disturbances and binge drinking in our town centres and do not place an added burden on the resources of the police or local authorities.

We believe there is a strong case for exempting clubs like ours on these grounds and on the fact that community sports and social clubs are exempt under the act, even though our social clubs provide much the same service to our communities as they do.

Brian Binley would request a meeting with the minister early in the New Year in order that the APPG might progress the matter.

4. Machine Games Duty (MGD)/Linneweber MGD: The new MGD taxation regime has now bedded in reasonably well although the registration process was difficult for many clubs. Dransfields were fielding up to 70 telephone calls per day with queries from clubs.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are issuing assessments and penalties to clubs that have not submitted their

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APOLOGIES: Lord Bilston; Andrew Griffiths; David Ward; David Watts; Rosie Cooper

MGD Returns on time but they have made some mistakes with registrations.

An example is that some clubs have been registered twice in error, resulting in penalties being issued against the duplicate registration even though their Returns have been correctly submitted. Dransfields are assisting clubs on a case by case basis. Overall, clubs are better off financially as they no longer have to pay the very high amusement machine licence duty. It has made it financially viable to increase the number of Category B4 machines that they have in their clubs.

Latest estimates are that clubs will be better off by £8 million following the switch to MGD. It was agreed to continue to monitor this.

Linneweber: Rank Group, which is the leading case for the reclaim of VAT on gaming machine income prior to December 2005 (commonly known as Linneweber), has lost the latest challenge made by HMRC at the Court of Appeal.

Rank has asked for permission to appeal this latest decision to the UK’s Supreme Court. HMRC estimate that there is £1 billion of tax at stake.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) had previously sent the case back to the UK legal system to rule on a technical aspect of the case although it had accepted the principle of fiscal neutrality based on the ECJ decision in the German case, Linneweber.

The UK Court of Appeal has decided in favour of HMRC regarding claims for overpaid VAT on Gaming Machine income prior to December 2005. Many Clubs which submitted a claim have already received a refund.

In theory HMRC could now ask for these refunds to be repaid pending the outcome of the case at the Supreme Court but at this stage they have not indicated that they will do so.

Therefore, the final effect of the Appeals Court decision on clubs that had made claims will not be known until the Supreme Court has heard the case and issued its Judgement; this is likely to be in approximately one year’s time.

It was agreed that should clubs need to repay monies, the Group would press for these to be spread over a number of years. This will be reviewed in due course.

5. Vera Baird. Northumbria PCC, Campaign Against Domestic Abuse Through David Clelland/APPG, Vera Baird has requested a meeting with the CIU to discuss her campaign against domestic abuse and how clubs might take part.

CIU President, George Dawson, explained that CIU Clubs would be happy to promote this campaign through posters etc in clubs.

It was agreed that the CIU would meet with Vera Baird, Northumbria Police Commissioner.

www.clubmirror.com

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BRANDS NEWS Who’s doing what and why – from launches to on-trade promotions 1. CARLSBERG UK TAPSTER’S RANGE Carlsberg UK has launched its 2014 Tapster’s range of cask ales comprising 47 permanent ales available nationwide year round.

The launch will be supported by promotional activity and point of sale mechanics such as try-beforethey-buy.

Brewers featured in the 2014 range include Tetley’s, Adnams, Camerons, Greene King, Hook Norton, Marston’s, Robinsons, St Austell and Thwaites.

The Tapster’s ‘Extra Choice’ range comprises over 100 additional ales, available on monthly rotation, available through the company’s UK monthly deals brochure.

Paul Waller, Customer Service & Third Party Brands Director at Carlsberg UK, said: “We’re working hard to be the best beer and beverage business in the UK and our Tapster’s range demonstrates our commitment to the Cask Ale category. Our ambition is to provide the best possible range, service and support to customers, enabling them to tap into a thriving opportunity.”

• t. 0800 0274144 • www.carlsbergwedelivermore.co.uk 10

clubmirror

2. WYCHWOOD GO WITH THE QUO Wychwood Brewery and Rock ‘n’ Roll legends Status Quo have launched Piledriver, ‘a classic English beer for a classic English band’. The 4.3% malty amber ale beer is available to the on-trade from April after a February launch in J D Wetherspoon.

Quo’s Francis Rossi said: “Music and beer go well together! Anyone denying that has never been to a gig – and certainly not a Quo show. We wanted to create something special for the fans, and us of course, to enjoy. Piledriver is it.”

Co-Quo member Rick Parfitt said: “Piledriver is renowned as one of those albums where it all went right: the chemistry was perfect and the fun flowed. Wychwood Brewery has helped us create a beer with the same ethos; and a huge blue gorilla as a truly arresting logo!” The beer will be available in 500ml bottles and is available on cask.

• t. 0800 5870773 • www.marstons.co.uk 3. JOHN SMITH’S RACING CAMPAIGN John Smith’s ‘Smooth Favourite’

campaign sees drinkers given a chance to ‘buy one ticket and get one free’ at 28 jump and flat racecourses in the UK. Smooth Favourite kits include posters, fixture lists and sign-up forms, as well as green chalkboards featuring a selection of calls to action.

Rebecca Haigh, senior brand manager-John Smith’s, at HEINEKEN said: “‘Smooth Favourite’ will build on our hugely popular ‘Smooth as Silks’ campaign from last summer. The new promotion will bring fresh impetus and grow brand saliency for John Smith’s.”

• t. 0844 5660109 • www.heineken.co.uk 4. GORDON’S ELDERFLOWER FLAVOUR VARIANT Gordon’s, has introduced an Elderflower variant with a sevenfigure marketing spend, to drive growth into the gin category.

Gordon’s Elderflower is a distilled gin with natural Elderflower and flavourings, 37.5% ABV, and is also available in a premix can. The concept over-indexes with younger adults and females, according to the company, driving new consumers to the classic Gordon’s

brand, according to the company.

• t. 020 8978 6000 • www.diageo.com 5. NEW LOOK BOTTLE FOR FOSTER’S GOLD Foster’s Gold (4.8% ABV) has a new bottle designed to ’improve visibility and fridge standout’.

POS materials using the strapline ‘Pure Gold’ will support the launch.

• t. 0844 5660109 • www.heineken.co.uk 6. NEW GLOBAL BRAND IDENTITY FOR JACOB’S CREEK Australian wine producer Jacob’s Creek has introduced a new brand identity with a contemporary look aiming to unite the portfolio under a single visual identity.

Lucy Bearman, Head of Marketing for Jacob’s Creek, said: “Since 1976, Jacob’s Creek has been continuously growing within the UK and globally, and is one of the leaders in the market in terms of innovation. This is an exciting phase for us as this is the first

time in 38 years that we have made a major change to the Jacob’s Creek logo.”

• www.jacobscreek.co.uk 7. BRAZILIANT CAMPAIGN FROM WKD SHS Drinks has unveiled details of a £1mn multi-faceted marketing campaign to back the launch of limited edition RTD WKD Brazilian.

The on-trade launch is being led by a series of 300 Brazilian-themed party events held in venues around the country. Over 2,000 washroom panels have been booked in key outlets featuring quips such as ‘Flight to Brazil: 10+ hours. Stroll to the bar: 10 seconds. It’s up to you’.

Free POS kits containing posters, bunting, bar runners, mobiles, balloons and banners.

SHS Drinks has also unveiled the creative executions that will support WKD’s new broadcast sponsorship of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE).

• t. 0800 917 3450 • www.shs-drinks.co.uk

For further information on any of these brands, visit www.clubmirror.com/brands www.clubmirror.com

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special promotion

CELEBRATING LIFE’S THRILLS AND SPILLS Pedigree has launched a new campaign that celebrates lives lived with integrity - lives lived with fun, discovery and staying true to yourself. And they want clubs to join in.

The ‘Live a Life of Pedigree’ campaign acknowledges how people grow up but, at heart, often stay the same; retaining the same values they have always had, in spite of the changing years.

Grow Up, Don’t Change Marston’s Brewery is appealing to Pedigree fans to dig out their old photos in a unique opportunity to be part of the celebrations.

People are already joining in, by recreating up-to-date versions of their old snapshots with the same people, in the same poses. The two photographs, one from years ago and another from the present day, shows how people may have grown up and grown older but have always retained the very essence of their character, interests and friendships.

It’s a great way to look back at your club and pay a timely tribute to all those longstanding members, and all those occasions – the sporting victories, trips and events – that helped define where you are today.

So get involved! It’s easy. Upload your photos - then and now - to the special Marston’s Pedigree gallery website www.pedigreegallery.co.uk to be in with a chance to win prizes.

Gaynor Green, marketing manager for Marston’s commented: “We hope Pedigree will inspire people to find their old photos and remind them that they’re the same person they always were.

“We’re using social media to encourage Pedigree fans to relive those happy moments in their lives. So, go on, get the old photo albums out and see what fun you can have recreating pictures from years gone by.”

Join in the fun on Pedigree’s Facebook – search for Marstonspedigree or on Twitter, follow @MarstonPedigree.

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“It’s a great way to look back at your club and pay a timely tribute to all those longstanding members, and all those occasions”

IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS Pedigree is also unique - not only is it still brewed in oak casks, but it’s the only beer left in Britain that is brewed using Burton well water. Pedigree is brewed using the best ingredients and its suppliers have also been working to brew its unique taste for generations.

A beer for people who are serious about beer – Pedigree has a distinct aroma, some spicy hops, a malt that reminds you of your Mum’s home-baked biscuits and a gently refreshing fruitiness. Brewed since 1959 it is still the classic English pale ale everyone has grown to love.

It’s also the Official Beer of the England Cricket Team. (Now there’s a few men that know a good pint when they see one). In a world of laddish lightweights, Pedigree is a beer for people who know what they’re drinking, who know what they like and who can enjoy it in a warm, friendly atmosphere that never goes too far.

Pedigree is perfect with a good steak, a warming roast or a deep steamy casserole. Available in: 9g, 18g, FastcaskTM and keg.

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birthday issue – legal eagle

WHY LOOKING BACK HELPS US TO LOOK FORWARD Club Mirror is celebrating a significant milestone as a first class publication, reflecting the mood, variety and the sophistication of the current offer of clubs in the UK, says Legal Eagle Nick Walton. But the licensing process affecting these clubs has changed out of all recognition since Club Mirror was first published, he explains. hilst the ethos of the Private Members’ Club has remained on an even keel, the regulatory framework has modified and morphed significantly to the point where we find ourselves sometimes totally perplexed by what is required.

When I look back at bygone ages, the 1872 Licensing Act makes very easy reading. The Act made it an offence to serve children under the age of 16 years of age with any description of spirits. The fine for the first offence was not to exceed 20 shillings (£1), or 40 shillings (£2) for any subsequent offence. (A loaf of bread at the time cost around 2.5pence, to give a sense of perspective.)

In 1872 the law makers had realised the importance of ‘the measure’, although probably not recognisable now in an age where metric volumes have taken over (and a Mandatory Condition on Club Premises Certificates or Premises Licences in respect of the volume of spirits that can be served). The imperial standard was to be used for all

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measures less than 1⁄2 pint and for spirit measures 1⁄6th of a gill or 1⁄4th of a gill were common, the metric equivalents today being 25mls or 35mls. Penalties were considerably more in tune with the offence of failure to supply in an imperial measure, and incurred fines of £10 for a first offence and £20 for a subsequent offence (with forfeiture of this ‘legal measure’). This would hopefully have had the effect of acting as a deterrent to illegal measures being used, presumably because of the effect on the customer rather than the retailer.

There was protection for those wishing to enjoy public entertainment from the vagaries of alcohol. Any persons who made or used communication (which would now read ‘access’) between licensed premises and unlicensed premises used for entertainment or as a refreshment house would be liable to a significant penalty. This type of requirement sent out a clear message to all; entertainment and its enjoyment and the provision of refreshment should not be

In the late 19th century, Public Order offences involving alcohol could incur imprisonment with hard labour. This could include (pictured) picking apart old ropes to make oakum, used to seal ships and piping.

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associated with alcohol. It was deemed that anyone should and could be enjoying one without the necessity for the other. How far, I wonder, would we get today if such a requirement were adopted?

The Act reinforced the acceptance that consumption and drunkenness were potentially linked, making drunkenness on the public highway an offence, the penalty for which was a fine of 10 shillings (50p). The penalty doubled, however, on second offence and doubled again for a subsequent offence in the period of 12 months.

Public Order offences involving alcohol were well advanced for the day and included penalties for being drunk in charge of any carriage, horse, cattle or steam engine! Significantly they also included ‘in possession of a loaded firearm’. Fines started at 40 shillings (£2) and/or imprisonment with or without hard labour. Failure to pay a fine could result in imprisonment with hard labour.

The law makers did not countenance the harbouring of or bribing of Police with alcohol when they were on duty.

There were three parts which could be made out to the offence: allowing the Constable to remain on the premises whilst on duty, providing liquor or refreshment to the Constable whilst on duty or, bribery or attempted bribery of a Constable. The penalty, however, was not as high as one would imagine, with a fine of £10 for the first offence.

Gambling in the spotlight The gamblers did not escape notice, and specific mention was made regarding the Licensee who allowed gaming or ‘any unusual game’ to be carried on, the offence being liable to a fine of £10.

Recognition of the dangers of gambling had been made

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birthday issue – legal eagle some 20 years earlier in 1853 by legislation entitled ‘An Act for the Suppression of Betting Houses’, the first paragraph of which stated ‘a kind of gaming has of late sprung up leading to the injury and demoralisation of improvident persons by the opening of places called Betting Houses or Offices’. It goes on to say that the receiving of money for events such as horse races and the like contingencies should be suppressed. Betting was effectively banned between persons and penalties for use of or keeping such houses was very steep (£100). If the fine was not paid the Licensee could then be subject to a period in a common gaol or ‘house of correction’ (with or without hard labour) for up to six months.

The licence could be forfeited for repeated offences of adulteration (of alcohol that is!) and one of the schedules of the Act lists potential ‘ingredients deleterious to health’ as salt, opium, strychnine, tobacco and salts of zinc, lead and alum. You have to wonder whether it was the alcohol that was causing the problems or the potential additives, when the Government of the day took the time to identify and list the substances which, could potentially be used for adulteration were ‘banned’.

Repeat offenders I find the approach to repeated offences/convictions to be fascinating and it says an enormous amount of how Victorian society viewed the problem. Any Licensee who had two offences recorded against him on his licence would have the licence forfeited and be unable to hold a licence for a period of five years from the date of the third offence. Almost foreseeing the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act however, after the five year period the conviction could not be used in evidence against a person to increase the penalty or to engage further forfeiture.

The 1902 Licensing Act Let’s fast forward to 1902 and the commencement of the Licensing Act which amended significant amounts of the 1872 Act, and introduced the registration of what we now know as Private Members’ Clubs.

A whole section of the Act dealt with the amendment of the law relating to drunkenness,this being the forum for addressing such issues rather than criminal statute (which may also have identified penalties, but is not part of this discussion). The Act refers to a piece of legislation which came into force in 1898 known as the ‘Inebriates Act’.

Further comment on the content of this Act is very worthwhile as the law makers demonstrated not just their very able understanding of the problem of the excesses of alcohol but also remedial measures to resolve those excesses.

Inebriate reformatories The Act foresaw the creation of ‘inebriate reformatories’ which would be subject to the rules and regulations of the ‘Prisons Act’ (without the provision for corporal punishment) and would deal with ‘habitual drunkards. If the Court was satisfied that the offence to which the person had been convicted was committed whilst under the influence of drink or even that drunkenness was a contributing cause of the offence a sentence to be served in an inebriate infirmary could be substituted for a prison sentence.

Previous legislation around the time of the 1902 Licensing Act concentrated upon giving relief to the injured

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ale to her father’s house, apparently so he would not be a nuisance to the community. This would clearly have been an offence if the gentleman had been convicted of an offence mentioned in the schedule to this Act and on three separate occasions in the period of 12 months.

The offence in his case may have just been that he was drunk. I remember that he was always drunk and society (my parents included) didn’t really know how to react to an habitual drunkard who lived in their midst. Those years, after all, were just post war and everyone was expected to pull together to build the society which would reflect the new dawn after the dark years of the Second World War. There was no room and little sympathy for those who took to drink, in some cases as a result of post-traumatic stress although in those days nobody knew what post-traumatic stress was or how to deal with it.

Interestingly, whilst the legislation was enacted in 1902 the section continues to be current and has found its way into the Licensing Act 2003. Although the wording has slightly changed, the concept of the ‘habitual drunkard’ continues to apply in 2013.

To enforce the 1902 Sale of Liquor to Habitual Drunkard’s Licensing Act, the Watch Committee of the City of Birmingham provided licensed liquor sellers and clubs with photos and descriptions of those deemed ‘habitual drunkards’’, who were not to be sold liquor. One such (pictured) was 25-year-old Alice, a ‘polisher and a prostitute’ who was convicted for drunk and disorderly behaviour in January 1904. It was noted that Alice had a number of distinguishing tattoos including Prince of Wales’ feathers on her right hand and a heart and clasped hands with ‘true love K.B.’ on her right arm.

(Image courtesy of blogs.ancestry.com.)

party who had suffered at the hands of the ‘habitual drunkard’. We tend to think of the issues we see on our high street today as the problem of the liberal society in which we live and the relaxation of the licensing laws. The problems must have been as acute at the turn of the 20th Century for the law makers to have been influenced to the point where they legislated so significantly to support the injured parties.

Further provision was made in the 1902 Act to deal with persistent offenders who could have been subject to an Order for detention in an inebriate reformatory, by making it a further offence if the person purchased or attempted to purchase intoxicating liquor within a three year period after the date of the conviction. The Licensee could similarly be prosecuted if he knowingly provided the means for, or sold alcohol to, a person who had been convicted and was subject to a ‘Purchasing Banning Order’.

Three year’s abstinence was a very long time for an ‘habitual drunkard’ and the ban by today’s standards would be viewed as harsh in the extreme.

I remember as a child living close to a small shop that sold alcohol. Being friendly with a daughter of an alcoholic I was astounded that the shop delivered the crates of brown

Fit and proper Hidden away in Section 10 of the Legislation as almost a throwaway is the statement conferring a power upon Licensing Justices to grant (or otherwise) a licence for the sale of alcohol to such persons as they deem ‘fit and proper’ for ‘off’ sales (the power having been conferred in respect of ‘on sales’ approximately 90 years earlier by the Alehouse Act in 1828). It wasn’t until the Licensing Act 2003 came into force on 24 November, 2005, that the ‘fit and proper’ test disappeared. Instead, a Designated Premises Supervisor was required to have passed a Personal Licence examination or could have grandfathered his right to obtain the license by being deemed ‘fit and proper’ by the Justices and to be named on a Justices Licence.

There was also a section in the 1902 Act dealing with the layout of the premises and potential changes to the communication (access) between the different parts of the premises. A requirement to obtain the approval for changes of Licensing Justices (at their annual meeting!) was necessary.

Those of us who remember the 1964 Licensing Act will also remember the requirement for plans, and this very much earlier piece of legislation confirms that plans and layout of premises were required to be provided to the Clerk to the Justices even in 1902. Failure to provide the plans or notify the Justices of changes to the layout of the premises could result in either forfeiture of the licence or the premises to be restored to their original condition. Not very much has changed; the 2003 Act requires that notification of changes in layout be confirmed to the Licensing Authority by means of either a Variation Application or, more latterly, a Minor Variation.

In previous articles we have discussed the growth of the Private Members’ Club. Originally a source of communication between likeminded gentry, the club soon became a haven of learning and support provided in most cases by the employer for employees who, probably through no fault of their own, suffered from the lack of any formative education.

Originally, these clubs did not provide alcoholic refreshment. However, by the start of the 20th Century there were clubs who (in order to maintain the interest of their members) were offering alcohol to members and guests of their members.

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The 1902 Act recognised these types of club, and for the first time required their registration. The Act made the registration with the Clerk of the Justices a necessity in order that the premises continue to provide intoxicating liquor which otherwise would be illegal.

Formerly known as Registered Clubs (because of their requirement to be registered with the Court) the seeds were sown for the birth of Private Members’ Clubs, heralding a new type of club which would have – and continues to have – a very special place in our society. The Secretary of the club was required to furnish the following information to the Court: a) The name and objects of the club b) The address of the club c) The name of the secretary d) The number of members e) The rules of the club relating to: i. Election of members the admission of temporary and honour members and their guests ii. Terms of subscription and entry fee iii. Cessation of membership iv. Hours of opening and closing v. Mode of alteration to the rules that constituted the club.

The first registrations were made in January 1903 and had to be made every January thereafter. The Court fee for registration was five shillings (25p) – at the time, that was the equivalent of buying around 20 pints of beer!

Unregistered clubs found to be selling or supplying alcohol to members or guests presented a double opportunity for conviction. Those selling, and everyone authorising the sale, was subject on conviction to a fine not exceeding £50, and every officer and member of the club on conviction would be liable to a fine not exceeding £5.

At this very early stage in the registration process there was an acceptance that clubs effectively belonged to the membership, and actions were therefore the responsibility of the membership and those who had been elected as officers to represent them.

The rules which govern the conduct of the club and its ability to continue to be registered were also identified.

There was a section of the Act which enabled the court to make an order for the club to be struck off the register for any of the following reasons: 1. If the club ceased to exist or the membership fell to less than 25 2. If the club was not conducted in good faith as a club or that it was kept or habitually used for any unlawful purposes 3. If the club allowed frequent drunkenness 4. If the club allowed illegal sales of alcohol 5. If persons not being members were allowed to obtain alcohol 6. If persons were allowed to become members without an interval of at least 48 hours between nomination and admission 7. If the supply of alcohol was not under the control of a committee appointed by the members so to do A quick look at Section 60 through to 64 of the Licensing Act 2003 mirrors virtually exactly the conditions for registration in 1902; the definition has worked so well and

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describes the nature of the enterprise so perfectly that whilst the permission to supply alcohol in Private Members’ Clubs today is by the Club Premises Certificate, the requirements are exactly the same.

The role of the legislator The role of the legislator in formulating the laws which govern the way in which the people operate is generally the responsibility of the Government of the day. The concept of the registered club was so perfectly constituted in 1903 by the legislator that the definition continues a century later is essentially the same. The Licensing Acts since 1902 have changed the licensing of establishments which sell alcohol and the regulatory regime. However, clubs and their definition and mode of operation survive and continue to thrive through the rules which made them so special; the legislators recognised that if the club is regulated properly it is something to be embraced.

First World War There followed a number of years of consolidation of the Licensing Regime. The First World War saw an emergency statute deal with the sale and consumption of alcohol, specifically targeting munitions workers. General recognition that the war effort came first – and the potential for accidents in areas where high explosives were being handled could possibly be exacerbated by the workers drinking habits – made the changes necessary. Anecdotal accounts of specific problems which had arisen and the need to regulate hours in particular through the war abound. Carlisle, for example, had a significant problem created by a munitions factory in Gretna employing at its height some 15,000 people. As a result there were allegedly 230 licensed premises in Carlisle. This led to the local Licensing Committee obtaining its own powers and adopting special measures which included closing a significant number of the pubs to protect the workers from themselves.

Further review of the current permissions for the sale of alcohol took place in 1921, consolidating the legislation that had been brought forward during the First World War. Whilst the hours the premises could sell alcohol were extended from five and a half (12:00 -14:30, 18:00 - 21:00) to eight hours per day, the Licensing Justices had the power to determine for example, what time the pub must close, in some cases 22:30 or 22:00. Once again, the Statute recognised the special nature of clubs by allowing them to determine their own hours based upon the limits which had been set by the local Justices.

The 1964 Act Major changes were adopted with the coming into force of the 1964 Act. Permitted hours for the sale of alcohol changed and there was a general relaxation by the award of further permissions to ‘On Justices Licences’ such as Special Hours Certificates and Occasional Licences. Restaurant Certificates could be granted to enable alcohol to be sold for an extra hour if substantial food was being served and the sale of alcohol was ancillary to a meal.

This was probably the golden age in England and Wales for the provision of the sale of alcohol. There was regulation and everyone who wished to imbibe knew of the legal constraints. Off Licences, which for the most part had been attached to pubs, began to appear in the high street either in

The First World War saw an emergency statute deal with the sale and consumption of alcohol, specifically targeting munitions workers

the guise of wine shops which sold principally wine but perhaps also beer and cider or later as ‘off-licensed premises’. The 1964 Act made provision for five different types of Justices Licences and each one allowed the sale of different types and strengths of alcohol. Private Membership Clubs’ status was protected. The CIU, for example, grew from strength to strength even opening its own brewery to satisfy its membership’s demand.

The writing, however, was on the wall as the multiple store took over from the high street grocery shop. Critical mass in respect of buying power would lead to the demise of the high street shop and its queues on a Saturday morning. Once the multiples realised that alcohol could be sold as a loss leader to attract buyers, the control of what became a commodity was over.

The dream of the liberalised café culture assisted in the passage of the Licensing Act 2003 taking power away from the Justices and placing it with the Local Authorities. The new regime was to officiate over a free for all where later hours for the sale of alcohol would become the norm.

Private Members’ Clubs had dwindled significantly partly due to the loss of the industrial base which was the granite upon which England had built its society. Cheap booze introduced through the café culture was also contributing to the demise of the pub as a community hub. Longer opening hours really mean later opening hours to fulfil the demand produced for later evenings by the new culture of the high street imbiber.

One hundred and fifty years of regulation, initially to curb the detrimental effects of the gin palaces and their effects on society, the culture has most definitely changed but the problems are the same. I am unsure of what we have learnt – if anything – but some very clever people have attempted to address the issues and in some cases succeeded and in other cases... well, we continue to learn!

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LICENSING / GAMBLING / REGULATORY

email: info@popall.co.uk Nottingham Office 37 Stoney Street • The Lace Market • Nottingham • NG1 1LS • Tel: 0115 953 8500 London Office 88 Kingsway • London • WC2B 6AA • Tel: 020 7936 5869

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The leading licensing practice in the UK

birthday issue – 45 years of Club Mirror

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS First appearing in 1968, Club Mirror has published its way through decades of world history. Here, we take a whirlwind tour through just some of the highs and lows of clubland, the UK and world events.

1968

1969

Club Mirror is born. In the same year the new Gaming Act is introduced. Massive sums are being spent on telling the nation that ‘A Double Diamond works wonders’, and that the Watney’s ‘Red Revolution’ has arrived. Meanwhile, the winds of democracy blow throughout Czechoslovakia in the ‘Prague Spring’. Dr Martin Luther King is assassinated in April, and Robert F. Kennedy in June. A Christmas Eve greeting from space comes from Apollo 8 Space Mission, December 24.

1968 www.clubmirror.com

1968

1970

Captain Morgan Rum makes its advertising debut in Club Mirror with ‘Had any Yo-Ho-Ho lately?’, and Teacher’s appears with its ‘Teacher’s does wonderful things to water’ campaign. The maiden flight of Concorde takes place, the Boeing 747 jumbo jet takes to the air and the Open University is launched. Richard Nixon becomes president of the United States and man sets foot on the moon. Golda Meir becomes prime minister of Israel and Yasser Arafat president of the new Palestine Liberation Organisation.

1968

Beer enthusiasts form the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Anwar Sadat is elected president of the United Arab Republic (Egypt) and President Nixon sends combat units into Cambodia. ABC shows The Partridge Family – hello David Cassidy.

Microprocessors reach Britain and Clive Sinclair, who then creates the first pocket calculator.

1969

1970 clubmirror 17

birthday issue – 45 years of Club Mirror Randolph Hearst, is abducted. Weeks later Hearst is seen helping her captors rob a San Francisco bank. Golda Meir resigns as premier of Israel, Valery Giscard d’Estaing is elected president of France, and, faced with impeachment over the Watergate affair, President Nixon resigns. Muhammad Ali knocks out George Forman and regains his heavyweight title.

1975 Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie are joined by new members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Angola gains its independence from Portugal.

Margaret Thatcher is the first woman elected to lead Britain’s Conservative Party and Egypt reopens the Suez Canal after eight years. The first Cricket World Cup is played in England in 1975. The West Indies beats Australia by 17 runs in the Lord’s final.

1976 Rocky, All The President’s Men, Marathon Man and The Omen hit the big screen. Gymnast Nadia Comaneci of Romania is the darling of the Summer Olympics, while military spending in the world skyrockets to $300 billion a year.

Racial violence in black townships outside Johannesburg, South Africa, is the worst in 15 years. The raid on Entebbe; Israeli special forces storm a hijacked airliner in Uganda and rescue all but one of 104 hostages. UK Prime minister Harold Wilson shocks the country by resigning and successor James Callaghan faces a plummeting pound and soaring trade deficit.

1973 1971

1973

Smirnoff tells Club Mirror and the world, ‘I thought the Kama Sutra was an Indian Restaurant until I discovered Smirnoff’. The Eagles, Supertramp and Queen form. The British House of Commons ends a 14-year debate and allows the United Kingdom to join the European Common Market. Internment without trial sees Belfast and Derry erupt. Two soldiers and 21 civilians die in three days of street battles. Flares are in.

Squires London Dry Gin claims to be the ‘fastest growing leading brand of gin’, while J&B Rare was launched on the club market. Pink Floyd releases Dark Side of the Moon, The Exorcist hits the screens, Juan Peron, president of Argentina from 1946 to 1955, is again elected to that post and the Watergate scandal hits the headlines. The three day week in the UK affects most workers while to save fuel, a general speed limit of 50 mph is introduced and television broadcasts end at 10.30pm. Concorde slashes Atlantic flight time.

1972

1977 The new lotteries act allows clubs to run lotteries while London’s Penthouse Club boasts the biggest fruit machine in the land. Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours is released, ready to stay on the album charts for three and a half years. Leo Sayer, KC and the Sunshine Band, and ABBA’s Dancing Queen make the charts. An oil well shoots out of control in the North Sea, creating a slick 45 miles long and 30 miles wide.

1974 Pre-cursor of the current Rising Stars regular, clubmirror’s Photo Call feature discovers an up-and-coming duo Cannon & Ball. Led Zeppelin’s classic, Stairway to Heaven, hits the airwaves and in the US, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company recalls three million cans of Coke because some of the aluminum lids are found to be contaminated.

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1972

1978 The Good Beer Guide plans to advise its readers to avoid Watney’s ales ‘like the plague’, but tones this down at the last minute. Paper Lace’s Billy Don’t Be A Hero, David Essex, and John Denver’s Annie’s Song are all in the charts.

Patty Hearst, daughter of multimillionaire publisher

1974

Croxley Green Community Association opens its doors having persuaded village residents to part with £1 per brick to build premises. Evita opens. Paul McCartney signs a $20 million recording contract with Columbia Records, Saturday

1975

1976 www.clubmirror.com

Night Fever hits town and Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols is arrested in New York, charged with murdering girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. The Vatican has a tough time, with three popes in one year, following the untimely deaths of Paul VI followed by John Paul I. The College of Cardinals amazes the world by choosing a non-Italian, Cardinal Karol Wojtola of Poland, who becomes John Paul II. The world’s first test tube baby is born in Britain, Liverpool Cathedral is completed after 74 years in the making, and the country’s first nudist beach opens at Brighton.

1979 There are 3,025 licensed clubs listed in Scotland, reports clubmirror. The 1979 general election brings the country’s first woman prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, to power.

General Samoza resigns as president of Nicaragua, and the Sandinistas succeed to power, Mother Teresa accepts the Nobel Peace Prize and in December, Soviet forces invade Afghanistan.

1980 Club Mirror launches its free reader legal service, and seven pages of new clubs are listed. A report on the1980 National Club Show shows Brian Rix and Moira Anderson help to raise £ 6,000 raised for Mencap. Police obtain power to enter clubs without warrant. The first wave of privatisation hits – notably of British Airways – and the IRA revive the hunger strike at the Maze prison. John Lenon is shot to death in New York, Andrei Sakhorov is exiled to Gorky. Gang of Four including Mao’s wife go on trial in Beijing. Workers seize shipyards in Gdansk. Polish court recognises Solidarity as umbrella union.

1981 Beer sales are down a staggering 21%, attributed to Sir Geoffrey Howe raising duty. Bob Monkhouse is Club Mirror’s Comedian of the Year. Club of the Year for Special

Achievement is the Lakeside Country Club, Surrey, cigarettes go up by 4p per pack of 20 and tea is the nation’s favourite drink according to a Water Research Council survey – 37% tea, 13% alcoholic, 12% coffee. Heavy increases in gaming machine duty are imposed by Sir Geoffrey Howe as part of a package to recover revenues lost by the reduction in diesel road fuel duty. Charles and Diana marry and John MacEnroe wins his third straight Wimbledon.

1982 The standard of entries are so high for the Club Mirror Awards that 14 Certificates of Merit are issued that year. The Young Ones shock the old ones on TV, while ET phones home. Culture Club hits the big time, and Ra Ra skirts and leg warmers are all the rage.

Argentina invades the Falklands and Britain recaptures them - 255 British and 1,000 Argentinians die. Israel returns Sinai to Egypt. A mysterious disease is reported that kills 40% of it’s victims – AIDS

1979

1977 www.clubmirror.com

1978

1980

1981

1982 clubmirror 19

birthday issue – 45 years of Club Mirror

1984 1983

1985

100 names are put forward for Club Mirror’s DJ of the Year Awards. The rate burden on clubs grows, and the pace of growth is slackening. New sick pay arrangements introduced by the Government cause problems for clubs.

Consumption of keg beers grows, and sales of bottled beer is on the increase. Margaret Thatcher wins the general election and controversially puts the DeLaurean Motor Company into receivership. The Hitler diaries are exposed as fraudulent and Korean Air Lines 007 is shot down by a Soviet Missile.

1984

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Sam Fox gets her big break, appearing on the front cover of clubmirror! Posing on a ladder, she is tipped to climb to the top.

The miners go back to their jobs, in most cases doomed to early redundancy. Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia raise millions of pounds for famine aid in Africa. Soviet Leader Chernenko dies and Mikhail Gorbachev, 54, takes over. In Columbia a volcano erupts killing 25,000. Barbie Dolls surpass in number the American population, and Sylvester Stalone hits the screens with Rambo.

1986

Striptease acts at Jolly’s Night Club, Caergwrle, near Wrexham, are complained about by 105 local petitioners.

The Miners’ Strike begins following successful strikes in ‘72 and ‘74. Arthur Scargill becomes a familiar figure as leader of the National Union of Mineworkers. The Grand Hotel in Brighton is blasted by an IRA bomb during the year’s Conservative party conference, taking five lives

1983

1987

1985

Michael Barrymore is named Comedian of the Year in the Club Mirror Awards. He holds this accolade two years running. Is it because of this he goes on to host Strike it Rich the following year, his first TV break? A nuclear accident at Chernobyl endangers the USSR and Europe. Challenger explodes 30 seconds after lift off, and Panamanian army chief Manual Noriega is accused of drug dealing.

1986

A £600,000 cabaret club is planned for the Isle of Sheppey, and heavy increases in gaming machine duty are imposed.

Margaret Thatcher is re-elected for the third time, Oliver North takes the fifth amendment in the Contra Investigation, and 338 of 452 accused are convicted in the famous Mafia trial, Polermo, Italy. Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire die.

1988 The Clay Lane Club in Doncaster hits the headlines when Oliver Reed is laid across a pool table and shaved after calling members ‘northern working class pigs’. Club vice president Tony Lindley tells Club Mirror ‘it was just a bit of fun!’.

White label, Whitbread’s low alcohol bitter, is launched on draught. Edwina Currie resigns after saying that most eggs in Britain are infected by salmonella. In Pakistan Benazir Bhutto is elected prime minister and Salman Rushie publishes The Satanic Verses, to be condemned to death by the Ayatollah Khomeini. An earthquake in Armenia kills at least 25,000 people, spurring an international aid effort.

1987

1988 www.clubmirror.com

1989

1990

Real ale fans are set for the offensive in a bid to protect cask beer from the gravity threat of nitro keg bitters. A survey shows that seven out of 10 clubs now have cable or satellite TV, the highest proportion ever. Europe is transformed. Mikhail Gorbachev relaxes his grip on Soviet Party rule and nationalist and reformist fervour sweeps through Russia, Poland and Hungary.

In Prague, Havel changes from prisoner to president, while in East Germany, Erich Honecker is deposed. On November 9, the German Democratic Republic announces that all citizens are free to travel; the Berlin Wall tumbles.

Bloody battles in Romania and dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu and his wife are tried and executed. In China, students join the clamour for change, but demonstration in Tiananmen Square are suppressed.

1992

John Major succeeds Maggie Thatcher, leading antiapartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela is freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years. Boris Yeltsin is elected President of the Russian Federation and the first Moscow McDonalds opens. Hot pants and mini skirts are back, tent dresses and pant suits are in.

1991 The Gulf War explodes on to our television screens. Terry Anderson, the last US Hostage in Lebanon is released, Slovenia and Croatia declare Independence from Yugoslavia, Elizabeth Taylor marries her eighth husband, Larry Fortensky, and after 13 seasons soap Dallas ends.

Who DID shoot JR?

Club Mirror magazine is now £3.25 and incorporates Club Secretary. Mr S. Ferris is classified ad manager and the Manager of the Month competition is now a regular in the magazine. Black Wednesday’s stock market crisis forces the UK out of the ERM, and Miss Flowers alleges an affair with presidential candidate Bill Clinton. Andre Agassi wins Wimbledon and Mike Tyson is sentenced to six years for rape.

1993 Labour MP Eric Illsley calls for a complete ban on alcohol for drivers, John Smith’s Bitter sponsors the Great Britain Rugby League Team and Famous Grouse sponsors the Scottish Rugby Union. Budweiser launches the UK Budweiser Basketball League. Chris Evans takes over the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and Linford Christie takes the 100 metres gold at the World Athletics Championship.

1994

1995

Club Mirror’s market report shows that the Number 1 drinks in clubland are Diamond White for cider, Bell’s for whisky, Bacardi for white spirit, Holsten for bottled beer, Carling Black Label for draught lager, Worthington Best for draught bitter and Guinness for stout. Tetley’s Smooth Keg is launched.

Barbara Windsor joins EastEnders, Ab Fab is a must and Prozac hits the headlines and other things as well.

1995 Club Mirror runs a Carling competition to win a video of Carling ads, including ‘Sunrise’ - beating the Germans to the sunloungers. A Sun Readers’ poll shows that ‘I bet he drinks...’ is the second most famous catchphrase in the English language after ‘To be or not to be’. Eleven die in a cult nerve gas attack in a Japanese subway, and Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are arrested for the Oklahoma bombing, O. J Simpson is acquitted of murder, and the U. S. space shuttle docks with Russian space station Mir.

1996 Row rages over alcoholic lemonades and Scottish Courage links up with the Institute of Bar Management in a bid to improve training across the club trade. Clubs around the country watch Euro ‘96 to the tune of Three Lions on a

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1991

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birthday issue – 45 years of Club Mirror Millennium. The country enjoys Millennium celebrations.

The Phantom Menace, The Sixth Sense, Toy Story 2 and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me are top earners for the film world.

2000 Des O’Connor hosts the Club Mirror Awards at the Celtic Manor. Ken Livingstone, the independent candidate and maverick MP expelled from Labour, is chosen as London’s first elected mayor and the Conservatives take control of 16 councils, winning 592 seats.

2001 Tom O’Connor is a huge hit at the Club Mirror Awards. Ariel Sharon is elected as Israeli prime minister, and the world is stunned by the sight of the World Trade Centre’s twin towers crashing down. For the first time ever, the UK has more people aged over 60 than under 16, while square melons are an interesting contribution to the culinary world from Japan.

2002

2001 Shirt, courtesy of The Lightning Seeds and football-mad comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. Clinton becomes US President, a lone gunman in Scotland stuns the country when he murders 16 children, and ‘Mad Cow Disease’ forces the destruction of over 1 million cows.

Princess Diana gets £26million in her divorce settlement, but loses the title ‘Royal Highness’, and Michael Jackson marries LA nurse Debbie Rowe, six months pregnant.

1997 Operators lobby for deregulation of the casino industry, hoping that it can follow in the profitable footsteps of bingo clubs. Men Behaving Badly are still behaving badly, while Ally McBeale and the Teletubbies find TV stardom.

Pol Pot surrenders in Cambodia and the Sojourner vehicle roams Mars sending pictures back to earth. The world mourns the death of Mother Teresa, 87, and of Princess Diana who dies in a car crash in Paris. Dolly the cloned sheep hits the headlines, and Mike Tyson bites off the ear of Evander Holyfield in a title fight.

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1998 Suits you Sir ads for Holsten Pils hit the screen, and as part of its Pure Entertainment campaign it also sponsors a tour of the Manic Street Preachers. Barcrest previews Costa Del Cash, Tessa Jowell (health minister) makes her strongest hint yet that she intends to act to curb smoking in all public places, including clubs. Clinton denies sexual relations with 21 year old intern Monica Lewinsky, and Exxon and Mobil prepare to merge.

1999 NATO forces led by Britain and the United States begin air attacks on Serbia. BBC TV presenter Jill Dando is shot dead and a nail bomb explodes in a Soho pub. There’s a total eclipse of the sun over Britain, and Ali G makes his TV debut.

Victoria and David become Mrs and Mr Beckham, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones marry, as do Zoe Ball and Fat Boy Slim. Radio 1 refuses to play Cliff Richard’s

1998

Paul Daniels and the lovely Debbie host the Club Mirror Awards at the Wintergardens, Blackpool. The industry awaits the final draft of the guidance notes for licensing reform and the timetable for implementation. A devastating year for Palestinians and Israelis, weapons inspectors return to Baghdad and Zimbabwe’s economy is on the brink of collapse. Britain and the United States advise their citizens to consider leaving India, because of the threat of war with Pakistan. The World Cup takes place in South Korean capital, Seoul. Robbie Williams signs £80m deal, and around 400,000 people from across the UK march through central London to highlight the needs of rural communities.

2003 Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing and publishing director is Sean Ferris (who first worked on the magazine in 1992). Smoking bans, ID cards and deregulation of gaming hit the headlines again, and just the belief that you are drinking alcohol can lead to poor judgement and impaired memory, say psychologists. The Hutton Inquiry shocks the nation, and it’s goodbye to Alistair Campbell and Concorde.

The European Union says it will impose diplomatic sanctions against Cuba over its human rights record. Saudi Arabia promises to do “whatever it takes” to uphold security after the Riyadh suicide bombings. Thailand’s interior ministry says the

1999

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2003 death toll from a crackdown on drugs has reached 993 in 24 days. The invasion of Iraq is followed by unrest and a hunt for Saddam, who is caught in the last month of the year. Bob Monkhouse sadly loses his battle against cancer on 29th December. England win Rugby World Cup.

published. The CIA admits that there was no evidence of weapons of mass destruction before the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Republic of Ireland begins its smoking ban.

Tony Blair is hit by a purple flower bomb in the House of Commons. Saddam Hussein’s trial begins. A tsunami hits Thailand on Boxing Day, dominating the nationals.

2004 2005 In February 2004 Club Mirror HQ is launched, Club Mirror and the RMA join forces to host the UK conference for Club Managers and soft drinks on-trade value sales break the £2 billion barrier for the first time, with major player Britvic Soft Drinks contributing a 20% growth over the last year.

Carlsberg-Tetley raises its prices for ales and lagers by an average of 4.9%. CCE withdraws all stocks of its Dasani bottled water following health scares. Elsewhere Britvic signs a new bottling agreement with Pepsi and continues as PepsiCo’s exclusive bottling partner in the UK, manufacturing, distributing and jointly promoting Pepsi and 7UP. Carslberg changes its name from Carlsberg-Tetley to Carlsberg UK and Sebastopol Social Club, Sebastopol Cwmbran, is named Britain’s Best Real Ale Club in the prestigious CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) ‘Club of the Year’ competition. Club Mirror reports that credit cards and debit cards are expected to overtake cash as the favoured way to pay for goods. The findings of the Hutton report are

2002 www.clubmirror.com

2003

The minimum wage rises to at least £5 per hour and Guinness signs a deal worth £20 million to become sponsor of the rugby premiership, ending seven years of sponsorship from insurance company Zurich.

Keri Farish from Maryport, Cumbria, beats over 20,000 contestants to become the champion of the UK’s largest independent karaoke competition, sponsored by Mediatheme, manufacturer of Entertainer Pro, and Fuller’s Brewery launches cask beer ‘Discovery’. New Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt hints at an all-out smoking ban, according to the national press and Sport England’s Clubmark scheme, which aimed to raise standards in UK sports clubs records 1,000 fully accredited clubs across 20 different sports. Camilla Parker Bowls and Prince Charles are married. Four bombs hit the London transport system killing hundreds and Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, damaging land and killing hundreds.

2004

2006 Club Mirror reports that according to the European Union, clubs with both male and female members must ensure that women enjoy the same status and entitlements as men by 2007 or face prosecution. The introduction of Identity Cards (ID Cards) is bought a step closer and reports from the BBC suggest that the government may rise the legal age for buying tobacco in the UK form 16-18 years of age. Liverpool City Council becomes the first local authority in the country to allow under 18s to lie about their age in test purchases of alcohol. Tuesday 14 February 2006 was an historic day for the club industry, when MPs voted in favour of banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces, a decision to change clubland forever.

Elsewhere brewing giant Scottish Courage changed its name to Scottish & Newcastle UK and MP for St Helens South, Shaun Woodward, was appointed Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism, with responsibility for licensing. A new industry scheme following on from Club Mirror’s ‘Plan for the Ban’ called ‘Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking’ is given room to breath with help from clean air initiative, AIR. The smoking ban comes into force in Scotland. The 2006 FIFA World Cup begins in Germany and Saddam Hussein is executed in Baghdad.

2005

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birthday issue – 45 years of Club Mirror

2007

declares independence from Serbia to mixed international reaction and Radovan Karadzic, Bosnian Serb president during in the 1990s, is charged with genocide.

2009 Club Mirror goes online and Clare Balding wows an appreciative audience at the Club Awards. Drinks companies are busy, J2O re-launches and Carlsberg UK announces a £7m marketing investment in San Miguel.

Recession hits Britain as the economy shrinks at its fastest rate since the war and the MPs expenses scandal angers the country. Manchester United accepts a world record £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid and Michael Jackson's death shocks the world. Slovakia becomes the 16th Eurozone country, and Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the USA.

2010 Steve Rider hosts the Club Awards and Club Mirror's trade events and Beer Festival prove popular with readers.

Amongst the many drinks brands stories are Guinness signing a series of rugby sponsorships, a well-stocked walk-in fridge hiding behind a Heineken poster (London) and the launch of the WKD Good Kebab Guide.

An earthquake in Haiti claims 230,000 lives, ash from an Icelandic volcanic suspends flights across Europe and Tony Blair gives evidence at the Iraq inquiry. Alistair Darling cuts stamp duty for first-time buyers and a Conservative-led coalition government with the Liberal Democrats is formed.

Club Mirror holds its first Club Associations Luncheon and Awards.

2011 2007

2008

Guinness launches, on trial bases only, Guinness Red, a new variant which uses lighter roasted barley and Club Mirror begins its coverage on the looming smoking ban, set to start July 1. The Connaught Bingo Club, Herne Bay, Kent celebrates its 40th Birthday and Britain’s oldest employee, Buster Martin, celebrates his 101st birthday with his own brew. Alan Johnson, a BBC journalist is taken hostage while reporting in Gaza City. The smoking ban hits the UK clubs. Tony Blair resigns as British Prime Minister, leaving his position to Gordon Brown. Mike Reid, host of the 2006 Club Awards sadly dies unexpectedly from a heart attack.

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John Smith's unveils its 2008 No Nonsense Racing programme, Manchester is named the friendliest city in the UK and Tony Jacklin swings to victory at The Open, Royal Lytham. Golf clubs benefit from the media spotlight.

Towards the end of the year fears surround the UK banking system. Lehman Brothers bank files for bankruptcy in the US and in the UK HBOS enters into merger talks with Lloyds to prevent its collapse. Interest rates are cut to the lowest for 57 years, bank shares continue to fall and US stocks slide to a five year low. UK banks receive a £37bn bailout.

Elsewhere, Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaci

2007

Club Mirror and readers lobby government to have Private Members Clubs and clubs operating under a Club Premises Certificate exempted from the proposed Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROs) and the Late Night Levy (LNL).

John Inverdale hosts the Club Awards to great acclaim and Club Mirror brews its own beer. Newcastle Brown Ale emphasises its Geordie roots, Diageo launches a consumer drive for Smirnoff Flavours.and Bulmers announces limited edition Crisp Blend.

Further afield and drama unfolds across the globe with the killing of Osama bin Laden and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The Arab Spring sees successful protests in Tunisia and Egypt and Japan loses 16,000 people to the tsunami. Apple icon Steve Jobs dies.

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Club Mirror continues rallying readers when a consultation on Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROs) and the Late Night Levy (LNL) is issued by the Home Office. Clubs must act, warns Club Mirror.

Chris Hollins hosts the Club Awards to great acclaim, and other crowd pullers at the same venue on the same day include the John Smith's Grand National Trophy, Club Mirror’s Ask the Experts Live and Club Mirror’s Annual Beer Festival. Clubs, suppliers and brands alike get excited about the Olympics, UEFA EURO 2012 and a spectacular summer of sport.

Elsewhere, and Vladimir Putin becomes president of Russia (for a third term), Francois Hollande defeats Nicholas Sarkozy to become president of France and Libyans go to the polls for the first time since the ousting of Colonel Qaddafi.

2010 www.clubmirror.com

The end of the escalator tax for beer is announced, Carlsberg rolls out its first cider (Somersby), Club Mirror launches regional trade shows and George Dawson and John Tobin are returned as CIU President and Vice-President respectively for another two-year term. Hazel Irvine proves toast of the town at the Club Awards and the Tetley's Challenge Cup makes its first Club Awards appearance.

Credit rating agency Moody's cuts the UK's AAA rating to AA1, warning of sluggish economic growth, and Canadian Mark Carney takes over as Governor of the Bank of England. The 'Bedroom tax' causes uproar, UKIP gains 139 seats and former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher dies (87).

Also unforgettable – the horsemeat scandal, the phone hacking trial begins, the skeleton of King Richard III is discovered, Sir Alex Ferguson retires and Andy Murray wins Wimbledon.

2011

Pope Benedict XVI resigns (the first pope to do so since 1415). North Korea plans to expand its nuclear arsenal despite UN warnings and Syria hits the headlines yet again.

Leaked details of the NSA surveillance programme are published and Nelson Mandela, South Africa's ex-president, dies, aged 95.

2012

2013 clubmirror 25

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birthday special – beer

THE GREAT BRITISH PINT We’re only here for the beer, so roll out the barrel and follow the bear, because after all, it looks good, tastes good and by golly it does you good. Ring any bells? our and a half decades ago, if you had walked into a club and ordered ‘a WKD, three Red Bulls and a bottle of San Miguel you’d have been carted off by the men in white coats, in one of those jackets with the arms at the front.

Drinking in UK clubs has changed beyond recognition since the late 1960s when Club Mirror was born. You could pretty much drink anything in a club back then, as long as it was ale or stout! Beer ruled the roost and the likes of readyto-drink concepts and energy drinks weren’t even a marketing twinkle in the eye.

More than 90 per cent of the market could be attributed to regional ale and stout brands that boasted a dedicated, loyal and local following. The favoured tipples of many British drinkers in the late 1960s was low strength bitter and mild. With manufacturing playing a much more influ-

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ential role, attributable for around 40 per cent of the economy at that time, working men were looking for something that slaked their thirst without taking their legs away from under them. Brands such as Ansells Mild and Tetley’s Dark Mild fitted the bill and were regularly quaffed in large quantities.

However, by the early 1970s the drive towards keg beers was gathering pace, especially in the club sector, and this took its toll on mild’s fortunes. The pasteurisation and gassing process wasn’t particularly suitable for mild, but keg ales in the club trade, where cask was not always suitable, were increasingly popular.

A number of family brewers were perfectly willing to abandon cask, the foundation of the business for so long, in favour of keg. Keg versions of regional ales dominated the club sector and while some have departed to the cellar

You could pretty much drink anything in a club in the 1960s as long as it was ale or stout.

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birthday special – beer

From Double Diamond working wonders through to Whitbread big head ('trophy bitter, the pint that thinks its a quart'), catchy beer advertisements have raised smiles – and glasses – over the decades.

in the sky, many remain today often solely for the delectation of faithful and devoted club goers.

The likes of Brew X1 and Worthington Bitter in the Midlands, Courage Best in the South, Allbright’s in South Wales and McEwans Scotch Ale in the North and er... in Scotland... were all local heroes in their own right.

There were national players too, such as Double Diamond from Allied Breweries, Worthington E, Courage, McEwans Export, Trumans, Whitbread Tankard and Watney’s Red. Watney’s Red was the subject of one of the biggest marketing campaigns ever seen in British brewing history.

Worthington E: a big proponent of marketing, POS and advertising campaigns.

The CAMRA angle Things changed in the 1970s largely thanks to the titanic efforts of the newly formed Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The brainchild of four pub-loving, cask drinking journalists, CAMRA spearheaded a historic drinker backlash and it wasn’t long before the big brewers were embracing cask once more. By this time, the so-called ‘Big Six’ – Allied Breweries, Bass, Courage, Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), Grand Metropolitan and Whitbread – had established dominance of the beer market and, along with Guinness, had increased their share from 45 per cent in 1960 to about 80 per cent by the mid-1970s.

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Looking good Guinness was the clear leader in the stout sector, mostly in bottles, which meant if you wanted ‘Extra Cold’ you’d just have to leave it in the fridge for longer. Some of the brewers offered discounted alternatives such as Watneys Cream Label while Mackeson’s was one of the first brands to advertise on ITV with the immortal Bernard Miles slogan: ‘It looks good, tastes good and by golly it does you good’.

While CAMRA had won the battle over keg ale, a bigger war was looming as the big brewers turned their attentions to a drink called lager.

The rise and rise of lager is clearly the most extraordinary success story of the last 45 years. In the 1960s, lager represented only one per cent of the beer market and could usually be found lurking in bottles at the back of fridges and only brought out to be drunk with lime.

However, big brewers that boasted unrivalled access to their own estate soon recognised the golden opportunity and as such, invested heavily to expand the lager brewing capacity. Lager was a refreshing, less challenging and more consistent alternative to ale brands and although fizzy, designed to be quaffed in large quantities. As such, the strength was around the three per cent mark and nowhere near as potent as the leading brands drunk today.

Guinness was arguably the first of the big brewers to throw its hat in the ring in the shape of Harp (stays sharp to the bottom of the glass), which stole a march on rivals by overcoming the technical problem of serving up a pint rather than froth quicker than others.

Carling Black Label, the brainchild of Canadian EP ‘Eddie Taylor’, was another forerunner and benefited greatly from its status as the house lager throughout the Bass estate while Skol, formerly known as Graham’s Golden Lager, was another big player under the stewardship of Allied Breweries.

Elsewhere, Whitbread had teamed-up with Dutch brewers to produce a lower strength version of Heineken while Grand Metropolitan had inherited the rights to Carlsberg from Watney’s and in 1973 a Carlsberg brewery was opened in Northampton.

Lager clout By 1975 lager sales had grown to around 20 per cent of total UK beer sales and by the late 70s and early 80s, a new tier of ‘premium’ lagers began to appear such as bottled Skol Special Strength, Lamot, Stella Artois, Löwenbrau, Carlsberg Export and Tennents Extra.

Of course in the late 70s there was also a brief ‘Lite’ lager boom with brands such as Arctic Lite, Hemeling Lite, Heldenbrau and an even briefer dalliance with dark lager

Guinness ads became something of an art form.

in the shape of brands such as Crusader.

At the beginning of the 1980s, lager was still playing second fiddle to ales but by the end of the decade it had overtaken them thanks, primarily, to a plethora of hugely successful advertising campaigns that refreshed the parts other beer campaigns couldn’t reach.

The demise of traditional industry and the decline of the trade unions meant the target audience for lager brands in the 1980s was becoming more merchant bankers than metal bashers.

Brands such as Heineken, Foster’s, (‘I bet he drinks’) Carling Black Label and Holsten Pils all captured the public imagination perfectly. Not even the most militant CAMRA member could deny the greatness of campaigns such as Hofmeister’s ‘Follow the Bear’ and Skol’s ‘Hagar the Horrible’, nor fail to smirk at Gryff Rhys Jones, advertising Holsten, holding up two pint glasses to his eyes before exclaiming ‘This could be your lucky day’!

Marketing nous became an even more powerful weapon in the battle of the brands following the introduction of the Beer Orders in 1989, which meant the brewers’ traditional access to the pub market was curtailed. In many instances the decks were cleared with low strength lagers and cask ales suffering at the hands of premium lagers.

For a taste of amber nectar authenticity, who better than Paul ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Hogan?

Carling became renowned for its ability to reinvent itself to remain contemporary.

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birthday special – beer

Brands such as John’s Smith’s Smooth, were particularly popular among the many clubs without cellar space, or the throughput or staff to make cask a viable option.

By the 1980s POS material and ‘owning the bar’ had become all important.

In the cash-rich-time-poor society of the 1990s, few had time to stand around for hours drinking low-strength lagers. But they were willing to pay a bit extra to help them unwind a bit quicker. This led to the rise of premium lagers such as Kronenbourg 1664 and Carlsberg Export which continue to provide growth alongside standard players such as Carling and Foster’s. And, of course, the late 1990s also saw the arrival of Ice Lagers.

Smooth operators The emergence of nitrokeg/smooth beers, inspired by the advent of the ‘widget’, halfway through the decade was more significant. Many believed that the initial, phenomenal growth of the nitrokeg brands such as John Smith’s Extra

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Boddingtons, the Cream of Manchester, was known for its inspired advertising campaigns.

Smooth, Tetley’s Smoothflow and Boddingtons Gold was to be the final nail in the coffin for the traditional ale sector.

Brands such as John Smith’s Smooth were particularly popular among the many clubs without the cellar space nor the throughput or staff to make cask a viable option. It was warmly welcomed by drinkers fed-up with the inconsistencies of cask ale and between 1993 and 1997, Tetley’s Smoothflow enjoyed 40 per cent growth year-on-year at a time when its cask version was suffering double-digit decline.

But, to the relief of real ale lovers, Nitrokeg has not quite lived-up to its hyperbolic billing and while it still plays an important role in clubs, many believe its growth is being checked by the widely mooted fight back of cask ale.

An improvement in the quality, consistency and image

of real ale, driven by a number of regional brewers and trade initiatives, is inspiring drinkers to increasingly ask for cask while speciality and niche beers are proving popular among hordes of well-travelled drinkers. Regardless of style or brand, beer’s future is certainly less secure than it was 45 years ago.

More than 20m barrels were lost between 1983 and 2003 alone and plans for a united and generic campaign to champion beer and attract younger drinkers and female drinkers – which was being mooted way back in Club Mirror’s 35th Birthday Issue – has finally come to fruition. It remains to be seen whether it succeeds but whatever happens, it is unlikely that the next 45 years of beer will be as eventful as the last.

www.clubmirror.com

As the UK’s leading brewer of Premium Cask & Bottled Ale* we are here to help you profit from the best performing category of beer in the On Trade • 19 cask beers permanently available and over 50 seasonal beers throughout the UK from our five regional breweries and seven brand families • A diverse portfolio with appeal for all types of drinkers to deliver a balanced range of ‘tried & trusted’ and ‘discovery’ cask beers for any bar • Unique fastcask innovation delivering cask beer that drops bright immediately – easier to store, handle and always available for sale ™

• In outlet support from over 30 Beer Quality Technicians nationwide • National distribution & logistics support from our 12 regional depots & breweries

All backed up by our dedicated team of Customer Service Advisors and your own personal Business Development Manager

Call us on 0808 178 1351 or visit www.marstons.co.uk

* CGA Strategy & Symphony IRI June 2012

birthday issue – spirits

Vodka – a ’60s success story

SPIRITED PERFORMANCES PAY OFF From Smirnoff and Cossack to Booth’s and Beefeater, spirits have always played an important part in the club bar. But which of those oh so familiar brands have hung on to their optics, and which have been unceremoniously spirited away?

he first few issues of Club Mirror were packed with advertisements and editorials about dark rum, Cognac and whisky – the more traditional dark spirits. What is surprising is the number of advertisements and comments in the early copies about white spirits – particularly vodka.

In the second issue – November 1968, the year Manchester United won the European Cup – under the heading ‘Great drinks of the World No 2 – John Douglas writes: “Sales of Vodka have reached unprecedented heights both in Britain and America, due partly to magnificent advertising and sales promotion.” The feature goes onto explain why the drink had become so popular in club bars.

On the same page is an advertisement containing the sort of ‘magnificent’ copy line he had in mind. Under a picture of a woman with a typical sixties haircut, looking seductively at the camera is the headline ‘The bare facts’.

The first part of the copy then reads, ‘There’s a vodka revolution going on led by Cossack Vodka. Cossack Vodka’s a young drink with a lot going for it. People know they can mix it with just about anything they fancy – with nary a worry about the after effects. Add advertising to that. Good

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strong, young advertising. It’s not surprising that Cossack Vodka is becoming the most clearly identifiable young person’s drink sold today’.

According to Douglas, vodka was once a mysterious liquor from behind the Iron Curtain, virtually unknown and treated with suspicion.

“It really is hats off to the people who set out to popularise ‘Cossack gets mixed up in all kinds of things’, for they

1960s: sales of vodka reached unprecedented heights challenging gin sales.

seemingly had nothing in their favour and everything against them,” says Douglas.

Beefeater and Booth’s Gin also make an early appearance in Club Mirror (November 1968) and are joined in July 1969 by the first Gordon’s ad with the copy line, ‘Mix it with Gordon’s – the heart of a good cocktail’.

Cocktails seem to have been the fashionable thing to drink in this decade and now, 45 years later, we’re seeing a resurgence of the cocktail in many a marketing mix.

By October 1969 the Cossack campaign had moved on, reading: ‘Your parents never gave a Cossack vodka party, your grandparents never gave a Cossack vodka party, your great grandparents never gave a Cossack vodka party – What are you, a slave to tradition?’.

Booth’s had apparently begun to see the upstart vodka as a challenge to gin sales, at least if its advertising tag line is anything to go by: ‘The king of gin is on the attack, going straight for the young lions, the trend setters, the ones who want excitement in everything they do. And to prove that Booth’s is a lion-hearted spirit, we are taking a whole page full colour advertisement in Club Mirror and in the TV Times to encourage this eager young market to stir things

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Left: Ads that stand the test of time from Haig and Smirnoff.

up with Booth’s’. (The TV Times incidentally, went national in the Club Mirror’s launch year.)

Telling the club trade where and how much is being spent on advertising brands in the national media seems popular during this period. It still is, as companies aim to show on-trade partners that customers will be driven towards certain brands through sophisticated campaigns and heavy advertising spend. Stock up or miss out is the implication.

Long John whisky, which started advertising in mid 1969, also employs this method, with an ad showing simply the papers and magazines appearing in and around a copy line which says, ‘Now you can see just what powerful advertising we’re doing for Long John this Autumn... in England and Scotland, over 80 per cent of your best customers will see the Long John ads over and over again... so place a tall order as soon as you can’.

The vodka market took a new turn when a brand called Borzoi made its first appearance in Club Mirror (December 1969) with an offer for a set of six vodka shot glasses.

In June 1970 an ad announces J.C.McLaughlin has become its selling agents. It’s not until October in the same year, however, that we learn in product news that Borzoi Dry Imperial vodka is distilled by James Burroughs and distributed in Scotland by Peter Thompson. It also explains it’s been marketed since 1967 and could be found in over 100 countries.

The article also reveals that vodka consumption in Scotland per head of population was well ahead of the rest of Britain. But it’s not until November 1971 when an ad for the ‘Magnificent six’ McLaughlin brands appears – Teachers Highland Cream, Munich-brewed Löwenbräu, Beefeater Gin, Asbach Uralt (German brandy), Appleton White (Jamaican rum) and Borzoi – that we learn Borzoi is ‘a snappy dresser, stands out in the crowd, anything he gets mixed up in gets mighty exciting’. Borzoi didn’t quite have the same staying power of the other McLaughlin brands however.

In the same issue we learn that ‘vodka had become one of the great success stories of the last decade on the UK drinks market. Smirnoff and Cossack are the leading brands with a new challenge from Vladivar’.

This edition has the first full colour page ad for Smirnoff with the copy line, ‘I thought the Karma Sutra was an Indian restaurant until I discovered Smirnoff – the effect is shattering’.

Cossack, meanwhile, was suggesting that if you drink Cossack you won’t get a hangover, with the line, ‘The morning after should be as beautiful as the night before’.

drinkers. Our theme? Is your Lemon Hart in the right place?

With large sales to come, there’s one place that’s right for new Lemon Hart. Your place. Make sure it’s there’.

There’s no shortage of competition. In February 1971 Buchanan Booth’s Agencies launched two more rums – Cabana Blanca, ‘a white rum of exceptional purity’, and Cabana Dark Rum, ‘most subtly flavoured of traditional spirits’.

Meanwhile, competitor Captain Morgan is taking a different line. Its first advertisement in November 1969 has an alluring fresh faced sixties woman looking out of the page and a large headline reading, ‘Had any Yo-Ho-Ho lately?’, assuring us that ‘if everyone had a little more Yo-Ho-Ho now and then, the world would be a happier place’.

The Seagram campaign for Captain Morgan had been trying for years to get away from the Yo-Ho- Ho image of its swashbuckling seafarers with eye patches because of its association with the old, black sticky rums, says the editorial. But the Captain was having none of it, and is happily at the forefront of the brand’s current advertising today.

Rum explodes on to market Lamb’s Navy Rum made it into the second ever issue, with a youthful Henry Cooper and Mary Rand on the front cover exchanging mock punches at the opening of the Sportsman Club.

By March 1969, United Rum Merchants (URM) is hitting the club market with its Hart brand with force – Hart, ‘glowing heart warming, Jamaica’s traditional rum’; and Daiquiri, ‘smooth, light, dry, sophisticated, a perfect mixer with tonic, bitter lemon or coke’.

A few months later a full page ad is taken by URM to , ‘persuade a lot of new customers to try the new lighter Lemon Hart blend that’s tailored to the taste of today’s

Sporting spirit In the October 1973 issue is an advertisement for Squires London Dry Gin – the sporting spirit which is claimed to be the ‘fastest growing leading brand of gin’.

The other two spirits drinks categories to make early appearances in Club Mirror are whisky and Cognac.

Teacher’s is right there from March 1969 with a campaign around the theme, ‘Teacher’s does wonderful things to water’. Subsequent ads in 1971 under the banner ‘Water and Teacher’s Unlimited’ is well ahead of some of the other drinks advertising of this era and could – with minor adaptions – happily be run today.

As well as Long John - ‘drink tall’ and Haig - don’t be

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Martell was the first Cognac to advertise in clubmirror’s pages. Above: posters from 1905 and 1939.

Cointreau ads stand the test of time. left to right; 1905, 1950, 1981.

In 1847 four businessmen in Pessione, Italy, formed a wine and liqueur producing company. They were joined by one Alessandro Martini, and a series of aromatised wine made from local grapes and rare spices was produced until chief wine maker Luigi Rossi, hit upon a mixture that came to be known as MARTINI & ROSSI Vermouth

vague’ – Johnnie Walker makes an early appearance going down the branding route. Under the heading, ‘Now your regulars say, “A large Johnnie Walker, George” (and they used to say “Small scotch please.”).’ The ad encourages clubs to make up their mind about what scotch to recommend: ‘Of course you can go along with the minority and not stock the world’s largest selling scotch. Or you could cash in on the consumer move to a smooth, mellow adult scotch like Johnnie Walker’.

Whiskies and Cognacs J&B Rare was launched on the club market in the Autumn of ‘73 while the interestingly named Red Hackle scotch whisky made a first appearance in November 1974. Red Hackle apparently won lots of awards, gold and silver medals at competitions no one has ever heard of, dating back to a silver at the London Brewers exhibition held in 1928. Other than that, the ad only gives away the fact that it’s a blended scotch whisky blended and bottled by Hepburn & Ross.

Cognac’s strength in the club market has been as consistent as its advertising spend. Martell was the first to appear in September 1969, and focussed on different sized bottles in its range, as does Courvoisier. Martell’s charity work for the RNLI is featured early on, while Hennessy starts off with a campaign headed, ‘Cold hands? Have a warm heart’, beside a picture of a heart-shaped glass of Cognac and the stylish old Hennessy bottle.

The main copy reads, ‘There’s a way to take the sting out of even the bleakest Winter’s day. Just snuggle up with a glass of warm-hearted Hennessy Cognac. Gently sip the glowing liquid and feel its magical effect. Suddenly it’s a warm Winter’s day. And if that’s not heart-warming we don’t know what is’.

clubmirror 35

promotion – Club Insure Ltd

WELCOME TO CLUB INSURE LTD A new location and a new image but Club Insure Ltd guarantee that it is business as usual and by that they mean award winning. or those people who are still not aware of their name, Club Insure Ltd mean business. Originally a subgroup of NDML Ltd, established since 1998, Club Insure was launched in 2011 to deal specifically with sports and social clubs. Due to remarkable success both in the local and national market, they have rebranded as Club Insure Ltd. Their aim is to be recognised as the market leader and if their accolades and affiliation with respected associations are anything to go by, then they are certainly heading in the right direction.

Within the last 12 months they have been appointed the preferred insurance broker for The Association of Conservative Clubs, Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and The National Union of Liberal Clubs, in recognition of their experience, comprehensive cover and outstanding customer service.

“I cannot recommend Club Insure highly enough. I

F

would suggest that any complex network such as ours, utilise the help of a specialist insurance broker such as Club Insure. Their strength of service and professionalism is outstanding and the relationship that I have built with them is

CASE STUDY Timperley Conservative and Social Club Mr M Patterson “Club Insure contacted me ahead of the insurance renewal in 2012. In the first instance, Club Insure guarantee to visit all potential clients and subsequently every year at renewal time. This impressed me from the start, rather than everything being done over the phone or by email.

On the first visit, Club Insure take the time to run through your existing policy at length and tailor it to suit the club’s requirements. The company representatives are exceedingly knowledgeable and thorough in their approach. They highlight all areas of improvements including enhancements to cover, thus coupled with an incredibly competitive premium, I could not see any valid reason why I should not transfer my cover to Club Insure and wasted no time in doing so.

Unfortunately whilst covered with our previous broker, we were forced to submit two claims. Both were incredibly stressful experiences; time consuming and initially rejected. Now, however, as part of our new tailored package, NDML Assist provides a loss adjuster in the event of a claim over £5000 (excluding liability claims). In the event of any future claims, we feel assured that NDML Assist and the experienced in-house claims handler at Club Insure, will be on hand to support us with a dedicated loss adjuster working on our behalf.

We are now one year on and have just received a renewal visit from Club Insure to run through the policy again and discuss any changes. It was an ideal opportunity for our Treasurer to meet with them and review the forthcoming year.

This gives us complete peace of mind.

On this second visit we procured the Club Insure Risk Management package. We have found it extremely user friendly and most significantly for us, a fantastic tool for supporting our club’s health and safety policies. There is the facility to downloaded template forms that can be used on a daily basis to support the running of the club and it also provides helpful advice on HR issues and legislation.

The manner in which Club Insure conduct their business is refreshing and I would not hesitate to recommend them to other Conservative Clubs.”

reassuring on a personal basis. I am delighted to be associated with Club Insure,” said Mr J Dunn, Ashington Joint Welfare Scheme.

Club Insure Ltd boasts transparency and honest advice as the key elements to their success. They pride themselves on their knowledge and understanding of sports and social clubs and the difficulties they face on a day to day basis. In recent years both legislation changes and economic pressures have had an overwhelming effect on the industry and in turn, created a substantial amount of extra work for club committees. Club Insure Ltd want to ease at least one of those pressures and as such guarantee a pain free, professional insurance service from beginning to end.

“They really did guide me through the entire process seamlessly with no pressure or difficulty. I recommend them whole heartedly,” said Mrs C Walden, Abertillery Workmen’s Welfare Institute.

There is an exhaustive list of reasons (too many to mention!) why Club Insure Ltd continue to stand apart from the rest of the market. Amongst others they are aware that due to the variety of social establishments it is necessary to treat everyone as an individual, consequently bespoke policies, underwritten by a panel of ‘A’ rated UK based insurers, are tailor-made to suit specific requirements.

Whilst their competitors have resorted to a telephone service to reduce costs, Club Insure Ltd uphold that the most successful business relations are forged face to face, thus one of their experienced Account Executive’s from their national team guarantee to visit each club in person. In doing so they are able to meet with all necessary club officials, identify possible gaps in cover, explain the cover conditions and warranties and ensure they understand what is required to be fully compliant with the terms of the policy.

“Everyone involved at the Petts Wood Royal British Legion has been extremely impressed with the service provided by the staff at Club Insure. We are very happy with the levels of cover they provide and the quote was very competitive." Mrs Grinter, Petts Wood Royal British Legion.

In addition, Club Insure Ltd provide an experienced inhouse, award winning claims department and dedicated account handlers who, in the event of a claim, offer compassion, guidance and support from beginning to end; Club Insure Ltd literally have everything covered.

“The aftercare supplied by Club Insure Ltd following a recent claim, far exceeded my expectations. Having worked for an insurance company myself for many years, I had high expectations for the quality of service I should receive and they far superseded them,” said Mr Butterfield, Idle Cricket Club.

It is therefore not difficult to understand why in the past year the company has been nominated for no less than four awards. They successfully won the UK Claims Excellence Award for Customer Care Initiative of the Year and were highly commended in the UK Broker Awards for Schemes Broker of the Year. Furthermore, as finalists in the British Insurance Awards for Commercial Lines Broker of the UK SME/MID Corporate and the Insurance Times Awards for Claims Initiative of the Year, Club Insure Ltd has set its sights on the prize for next year already!

As an award winning company you would expect business to be booming and indeed it is. Club Insure Ltd currently look after over 2000 clubs in the UK and their market share is increasing month on month. To cope with demand and maintain their professional yet personable business mentality, it is only natural that the Club Insure Ltd family

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES...

•

Re-location

•

Re-branding

•

Appointed the preferred insurance broker for: * The Association of Conservative Clubs * Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation * The National Union of Liberal Clubs

•

Winner of the UK Claims Excellence Award for Customer Care Initiative of the Year

•

Highly commended in the UK Broker Awards for Schemes Broker of the Year.

•

Finalists in the British Insurance Awards for Commercial Lines Broker of the UK SME/MID Corporate

Idle Cricket Club

Ashington Joint Welfare Scheme

grows at the same rate, hence the recent relocation to larger office space adjacent to the Leeds Bradford Airport.

The new site is double the size of the previous head office in Horsforth and much more suited to accommodate an award winning operation. It offers quick and easy access to Leeds and Bradford city centres and motorway networks, meaning they can service current and future clients even more effectively.

Simon Mabb, Managing Director, said of the move: “The growth trajectory we have been on has been amazing over the last few years and we had run out of space. The new office really gives us the opportunity to kick on and continue that trajectory developing the businesses further over the coming years.”

Justin Romero-Trigo, chairmen added: “We have a great team working for us and it is important we have the facilities and working environment to continue to attract the best people no matter which office in the group they work from.”

If their recent form alone is anything to go by, then Club Insure is here for the long haul. Mr R Betteridge from Lea Hall Colliery MWS, one of their many satisfied clients, summed up Club Insure Ltd when he said: “They truly are stalwarts of the insurance industry.”

• Written by Kelly Scotney.

Abertillery Workmen’s Welfare

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Sharp Business Development Manager e. wendy.sharp@club-insure.co.uk t. 0113 205 4319 m. 07786 070078 www.club-insure.co.uk Club Insure Ltd Romero House, 8 Airport West, Lancaster Way, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7ZA

birthday issue – gaming

BELLS, BARS AND JACKPOTS – ALL IN THE WRIST ACTION? Appearing in the very first issue of Club Mirror in 1968, gaming has been a regular feature ever since. Revenue raisers and crowd pleasers, they continue to earn their place in the club bar. Here we go back to the future, with Club Mirror’s reflections on the past, present and future from 2003.

“

How many readers can honestly say that their club doesn’t possess one of those strange bits of kit that flash, whirr, sporadically burst into jingles (sometimes alarmingly) and provide members with so much pleasure?

Very few, I’d hazard.

Jackpot machines are the backbone of many a club, and, let’s face it, they’re a rich source of income.

When you look at the sophisticated pieces of electronic gadgetry around today, it’s hard to appreciate – or imagine – the developments they have been through over the past 45-plus years. Gone are the days of mechanical reels, these babies run on state-of-the-art computer hardware.

It was in 1968 (the year that Club Mirror was born) that the 1968 Gaming Act was introduced to regulate the gaming industry and stamp out a perceived threat from organised crime; American Mafia influence was alluded to in whispered tones at the time, as was involvement by the Kray twins and their like.

But while stewards of clubs that operated gaming machines prior to the Act’s implementation may have run the risk of dossing down with the fishes unless they hand-

38

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ed over a percentage (generally a ‘modest’ 100 per cent) of the readies, there were upsides. Notably, there was no VAT or licence duty to be paid.

Less happily for clubs, machines were – pre-Gaming Act – supplied on a profit-share basis (typically 50/50 or 60/40). But on introduction of the new law, operators handed over the cashbox keys and machines were only permitted to be supplied on a fixed rental basis, putting clubs in a far better position to reap bountiful rewards.

The stakes were high So, what could high-rollers win in 1968 on these gambling machines? Well, for a stake of 6d (that’s 2.5p to those of you still in nappies at the time of decimalisation) you could walk away with the princely sum of £5. As for AWPs for the same stake the top prize was a less generous 25p. But of course back then that would buy you a whole street of houses in some parts of the country – with change left over for a pie and a pint.

As for the type of machine you could lose your 2.5p on in 1968, these would have typically been simple mechanical

devices imported from the USA, Japan and Australia. And you can forget notions of graphics themed around the latest blockbuster flick, hi/lo gambles and fancydan chase trail features; what you got was spinning reels, plain and simple.

But of course, life was not only cheaper, but more simple in those days – an idyllic era when kids were happy to play with a rolled up sock and spaghetti hoops on toast was deemed the last word in haute cuisine.

Vintage games So, what are the landmark games between 1968 and 2003?

Well, there’s not enough room here to list them all, but the following are just a few standout examples.

• In the early 70s the first UK manufactured machines were introduced. Machines featured multi-coin acceptors, hold buttons and double-or-nothing gamble features. While these were very crude devices by modern standards, they earned substantial revenue for clubs. Trail-blazing machines at this time were Each Way Treble and Accumulator, both manufactured by Bell Fruit Games.

www.clubmirror.com

comedy accessory is limited? Think again. According to one steward, one lady member treats the machine as her best or worst friend, depending on her fortunes that day: “We hear her actually talking to the machine as she’s playing – sometimes nicely!”

At the same club, when anyone wins the jackpot they’re given a pint pot with a handle to collect their winnings.

Nice touch, you’d think. What could go wrong with that?

“On one particular occasion a gentleman who’d collected his winnings, came over to the bar with his beer in one hand and winnings in the other. Instead of tipping the winnings on the bar, he tipped a full pint all over the counter!”

• The next landmark came when Barcrest introduced the computer-controlled Super Series. This was the start of the featurepacked machines that are so ubiquitous today. Super Series was Barcrest’s first ever club product. It featured a casino-style roulette gamble and went on to be hugely popular.

• Blackjack (manufactured

by Barcrest in 1988) was widely held to be the most successful club machine ever. The game featured a casino theme with a card fan mirror feature.

• Bell Fruit Games’ Cops ‘N’ Robbers Club was a real benchmark product in the 1990s, becoming something of a household name with its original cartoony graphics and fun gameplay.

• Club Cluedo (Maygay) took top dollar in 1994. Based on the popular whodunnit board game, the machine’s success lay in its faithfulness to the original game.

• Club Monopoly was another Maygay success story based on a popular board game. Made in 1997, the machine appealed to a large cross section of club customers, drawing in lapsed and casual players alike, who were attracted by the strong Monopoly theme. Any club that carried this machine will tell you they saw marked weekly machine taking increases.

Gaming gaffes It’s a box with a few buttons and reels and the odd flashing light - surely the club jackpot machine’s potential as a

www.clubmirror.com

Back to the future So what does the future hold as at 2003? After all, we have new modernising legislation in the pipeline and technology is moving forward at a relentless pace.

“Club gambling machines in ten years’ time will almost certainly be screen-based games, which will be linked to the suppliers’ depot by means of a mobile phone connection. Today’s spinning reels games will be relegated to the museum.

“The 2013 machine will offer the player more than one style of game, for example, a simple random play casinotype game for casual players, a mid-range with a few simple features and a featurepacked game for core players.

These games will not be limited to reel symbols superimposed on a screen; they are likely to be a mixture of cardtype games such as Poker and Blackjack and Casino Wheel type games, like Roulette.

When games fall out of fashion the club will be able to simply dial up a new game from the machine supplier’s game library.

“The use of coins in machines will disappear and winnings will be paid out in bank notes, or automatically credited to your particular credit card.”

Oh, and your machine will also double up as a toasted sandwich maker, provide cheap loans and recommend reliable plumbers.

Just joking.

Club Mirror 2003

”

THE 1968 GAMING ACT

James Callaghan MP, Home Secretary in 1968, launched the Second Reading of the Gaming Bill on the 13th February 1968, explaining the problems of the existing 1960 Act. “The origin of this Bill is the failure of the Betting and Gaming Act, 1960, to achieve its purpose,” he said. “That purpose was to prevent the exploitation of gaming by commercial interests. The 1960 Act was a thoroughly wellintentioned Measure and the authors must be astonished to find that the consequences of their actions are so different from their intentions. For the Act precipitated the very evil it was meant to prevent.”

The new law would go on to include the following measures: • The industry would be regulated and inspected by a Gaming Board who could object to licences being issued or maintained • Members clubs where gaming was incidental would have to be registered and commercial gaming establishment would have to be licensed • Before any licence would be issued the operator would have to prove to the licensing magistrate that there was local demand for it • There would be a ban on all advertising for gaming – so casinos would be there to only fulfil ‘unstimulated demand’ • All operators were required to be ‘fit and proper’ persons

clubmirror 39

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club awards 2014

YOUR INDUSTRY

NEEDS YOU

The Club Awards are back.

And we want you to enter.

The Club Awards recognise the commitment of clubs, committees and individuals who work to ensure a healthy future for their clubs.

If you agreed with three or more of these statements then you could be a finalist and the Club Mirror team wants to hear from you.

IT COULD BE YOU Do you think you could be a finalist? Do you have what it takes to beat the best and stand out from the rest?

WHY ENTER? Clubs who make it through to the finals use their success to:

Does your club have/do THREE OR MORE of the following?

• A turnover of £100,000 or more?

• Provide regular entertainment?

• Provide a good range of beers and spirits?

• Have a popular food menu?

• Have a thriving junior section?

• Encourage new members?

• Keep up-to-date with the latest drinks on the market?

• Have a sports team(s)?

• Play an important role at the heart of the community?

• • • • •

Raise the club’s profile Gain coverage in the local press and media Encourage new members Thank members for their support Demonstrate that the club is spending members’ money wisely

Finalists will enjoy: • Two free tickets to the Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony (20 November, Manchester) • Three-course Gala Dinner • Entertainment from a celebrity host • Dancing • Certificate for all finalists • Award for category winners • Inclusion in the Club Mirror Hall of Fame • Coverage in Club Mirror Magazine

So what are you waiting for?

Fill in the form opposite, email us, fax us or enter online at www.clubmirror.com We look forward to your entry!

DEADLINE: JUNE 16, 2014 – Tel: 01753 272022; To enter online visit www.clubmirror.com 42

clubmirror

www.clubmirror.com

IS THIS YOU? Are you proud of your teamwork?

Are you proud of

EXPRESS ENTRY FORM

THE CLUB AWARDS THREE QUESTIONS AND YOU COULD BE ON YOUR WAY TO THE CLUB AWARDS 2013 20 November, Palace Hotel, Manchester 1. Number of members: ____________________________________________

your bar team?

2. Year founded: __________________________________________________

3. Club Turnover (if known / approximate) _____________________________ Are you proud of your catering?

Are you proud of your club?

Are you proud of your entertainment?

Are you proud of your management?

Then you should enter the Awards

WHICH CATEGORIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR? (Please tick as many/few boxes as you wish).

■ Bar Manager/Bar Steward of the Year ■ Best Business Initiative of the Year ■ Best Turnaround Club of the Year ■ Bowls Club of the Year ■ CAMRA Real Ale Club of the Year* ■ Catering Club of the Year ■ Charity Club of the Year ■ Committee of the Year ■ Community Club of the Year ■ Cricket Club of the Year ■ Darts Club of the Year ■ Entertainment Club of the Year ■ Football Club of the Year ■ Golf Club of the Year ■ Green Club of the Year

■ Grounds Team of the Year ■ Manager/Secretary of the Year ■ Marketing Club of the Year ■ Membership Club of the Year ■ Most Innovative Club of the Year ■ Refurbishment Club of the Year ■ Rugby Club of the Year ■ Sports and Fitness Club of the Year ■ Sports and Fitness Chain of the Year ■ Student Union of the Year ■ Tennis Club of the Year ■ Traditional Club of the Year ■ Website of the Year ■ King of Clubs

*Different deadlines apply

Fax: 01753 272021; Email: info@clubmirror.com To enter online visit www.clubmirror.com www.clubmirror.com

clubmirror 43

club awards 2014 EXPRESS ENTRY FORM

THE CLUB AWARDS Just fill in your club details on this page and let us know which categories you’d like to be considered for (turn to previous page).

We’ll then give you a call – simple as that!

Your Name: _____________________________________ Job title/role: ____________________________________ Club Name: _____________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _________________________ Post code: _____________ Contact tel nos: Daytime: _______________________________________ Evening: ________________________________________ Mobile: _________________________________________ Best times to call you: _____________________________ Email address: ___________________________________ DEADLINE: 16 JUNE, 2014 SEND IN YOUR ENTRY NOW. HERE’S HOW:

BY POST:

Club Awards, Club Mirror, Gainsborough House, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1TX

BY EMAIL:

Email your details to info@clubmirror.com

BY PHONE: Call in your details to 01753 272022

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clubmirror

BY FAX:

Fax this page to 01753 272021

ONLINE:

www.clubmirror.com www.clubmirror.com

The Union Rooms c1952

Grow up. Don’t Change. www.marstonspedigree.co.uk

Order today. Call 0800 587 0773 to stock.

Get involved. Go to: livealifegallery.co.uk

The Union Rooms 2014

Clubhouse Awards 2014

CLUBHOUSE AWARDS 2014 DEADLI N JUNE 16 E: , 2014

Could YOU be a winner?

CATEGORIES Categories will include:

The Clubhouse Awards were first launched in 2006 to applaud excellence in golf clubs across the UK. Now the Awards are back – and with a vengeance!

• Best Business Initiative of the Year • Best Green Club of the Year • Best Marketing Initiative of the Year • Best Membership Initiative of the Year • Best Youth Initiative of the Year

Bigger, better and even more inclusive, the 2014 Awards will see entries from across the board –from owners and club managers to business development teams and membership managers.

These unique Awards underline the significant role that golf clubs are playing in the UK and Europe. With sister title Clubhouse Europe as a media partner, this year’s Clubhouse Awards will see over 250 attendees at the prestigious event, representing the diversity of the golf sector.

During the day golfers will compete

• Catering Club of the Year • Community Club of the Year • Refurbishment of the Year • Golf Professional of the Year • Manager/Secretary of the Year in our fun Clubhouse Classic tournament (with up to 88 participants).

• Steward of the Year

TIMINGS The Awards will take place Autumn 2014, strengthening and expanding relationships between key suppliers and our audience.

• Golf Group of the Year

• Chef of the Year • Clubhouse of the Year So what are you waiting for? Turn the page and complete the entry form.

TURN THE PAGE TO ENTER THE 2014 CLUBHOUSE AWARDS www.clubmirror.com

clubmirror 47

Clubhouse Awards 2014 brewer of the month CLUBHOUSE AWARDS Could you be a winner?

Complete the entry form on the right to find out.

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clubmirror

www.clubmirror.com

ENTRY FORM:

CLUBHOUSE AWARDS 2014

IS THIS YOU? Are you proud of your teamwork?

Please enter my club for the 2014 Clubhouse Awards Name: _______________________________________________ Job title: _____________________________________________

Are you encouraging new players?

Club Name: ___________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________

Are you proud of your kitchens?

_____________________________________________________ _____________________________ Post code: ______________

Are you proud of your clubhouse?

Contact tel nos: _______________________________________ Email address: ________________________________________ I would like to enter my club for the following categories (see previous page for list of categories):

Are you proud of your catering?

Please send this entry form and any supporting documentation (e.g: details of the club, any photos, local press coverage, testimonials, flyers, menus) to Club Mirror magazine.

BY EMAIL: info@clubmirror.com

BY FAX: 01753 272021

BY POST: Clubhouse Awards 2014, ACP, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor, Berks SL4 1TX t. 01753 272022

Are you proud of your management?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then we want to hear from you.

DEADLINE: 16 JUNE 2014 – 01753 272022 www.clubmirror.com

clubmirror 49

building the business – beer festival

HAIL THE ALE AT THE CLUB AWARDS Club Mirror invites you and your club colleagues to sample traditional ales, award-winning brews and new kids on the block, all stored and served to perfection with the help of CAMRA. And - of course - it’s all free.

Doing anything on November 20? Then keep it free and join us at Club Mirror’s Hail the Ale Beer Festival.

“This is our 6th Beer Festival in Manchester,” says Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris.

“We’re inviting readers to come along and sample this year’s real ales, and to discuss storage and service with

FREE TO CLUBS!

brewers and with the experts from CAMRA.” Last year saw clubs sampling over 20 ales, from old favourites to new brews.

So to find out what’s at this year’s festival, come and join us. Fill in the form overleaf or email us on: info@clubmirror.com.

WHEN: Thursday, November 20, 2-5pm WHERE: Copper Face Jacks, within the Palace Hotel, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HA

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clubmirror

www.clubmirror.com

BOX STREAM BREWERY • TUNNEL VISION • 4.2% ABV

• HARVEST PALE • 3.8 % ABV

A hand crafted, well rounded light amber ale. Full of character; clean, with a slight bitterness on the palate.

The Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2010, a pale ale, well balanced with a pleasant citrus aroma and long lasting crisp and pleasant bitterness, derived from a special blend of American hops.

HOOK NORTON BREWEY

www.clubmirror.com

CASTLE ROCK BREWERY

JW LEES

• LION • 4.0 % ABV

• MANCHESTER PALE ALE • 3.7 % ABV

A perfectly balanced bronze beer, full of fruit flavours and aromas. Complex yet refreshing, Lion has a long bittersweet finish.

A real refreshing alternative, MPA is a golden ale made from all British malt, Liberty and Mount Hood hops.

clubmirror 51

building the business – beer festival MARSTON’S BEER COMPANY • CUMBERLAND ALE • 4.0% ABV

• EPA • 3.6% ABV

Made using specially malted Maris Otter barley. Decidedly fruity, with a crisp finish and attractive golden hue.

EPA is a refreshing, lighter blonde ale with subtle citrus flavours and a delicate bitter aftertaste.

MARSTON’S BEER COMPANY

clubmirror

ROBINSONS

• MARSTON’S PEDIGREE • 4.5% ABV

• DIZZY BLONDE • 3.8% ABV

A dry hop aroma with a full range of complex flavours. The melding of nut, fruit and winey flavours create a smooth, satisfying drink.

Inspired by our colonial friends across the pond, this is a vibrant golden ale with a distinctive wild aromatic invigorating hop.

SHEPHERD NEAME

52

MARSTON’S BEER COMPANY

ST AUSTELL BREWERY

• SPITFIRE • 4.2% ABV

• TRIBUTE • 4.2% ABV

Generous aromas of tangy malt, soft raisins and sweet oranges, freshened by the floral grassy notes of three Kent-grown hop varieties.

A bronze coloured English bitter, with a rich aroma of biscuit malt and tart citrus fruit from the Willamette hops.

www.clubmirror.com

TETLEY’S

TETLEY’S • TETLEY’S CASK • 3.7 % ABV

• TETLEY’S GOLD • 4.1 % ABV

This classic amber session bitter has roasted caramel bitter sweetness, balanced with distinctly aromatic smooth hoppy flavours and a lingering dry, bitter finish.

A glorious, gleaming beer with an intriguing blend of cutting-edge hop varieties which combine to give a sprightly quenching citrus character.

THWAITES

TETLEY’S • CHRISTMAS CRACKER • 4.3% ABV

• WAINWRIGHT • 4.1 % ABV

Christmas Cracker’s wintry warmth delivers a complex, rich and satisfying ale for the Festive Season, with a subtle suggestion of vanilla and a delicate hop aroma.

Wainwright is a refreshing golden ale with subtle sweetness and delicate citrus fruity overtones.

REGISTRATION AND BOOKING FORM NAME: ______________________________________________________________

BEER FESTIVAL (FREE TO CLUBS) • I would like to attend the Hail the Ale Beer festival

■

• I will attend on my own ■ CLUB NAME AND ADDRESS: _____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________

www.clubmirror.com

• I would like to bring colleagues

■

Up to 3 _____

Other (please state) ______

3 - 5 _____

SEND COMPLETED FORM TO CLUB MIRROR:

BY FAX: 01753 272021

BY POST: Beer Festival, Club Mirror, Gainsborough House, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1TX

BY EMAIL: info@clubmirror.com CALL: 01753 272022

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traditional recipes

SPRING FAVOURITES With one Booker customer reporting increased takings of £2,500 on Burns Night alone, clued-up club kitchens are gearing up for the next themed event to pull in the crowds. So with St Patrick’s Day, St David’s Day and Mother’s Day all within plate throwing distance of each other, Club Kitchen whisks up some traditional recipes which can be created quickly, simply and cost-effectively to make the most of these red-letter days.

ST PATRICK’S DAY - IRISH STEW The quintessential Irish dish, Irish stew, has as many variants as it does fans. Lamb (or mutton), onions and potatoes are integral, with pearl barley often included.

Serves 6-8 Ingredients • 2 lb /900g lamb shoulder, cut into cubes • 8 large potatoes • 4 medium onions, roughly chopped • 4 large carrots, chopped roughly • 2 pints/1.2 litres of lamb or vegetable stock • Knob of butter • Fresh parsley • 4 bay leaves • Sprig of thyme • Salt and pepper Method 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5).

Irish Stew

now be stirred into the rest of the stew. Stir in chopped parsley.

8. Serve with soda bread or rolls to mop up the juice.

2. Melt the butter in a pan and fry the meat until it is browned all over (3-5 minutes). Place in the casserole dish.

3. Fry the onions lightly and transfer to the casserole before they start to brown.

4. Pour the stock over the meat and onions, add the bay leaves, thyme and salt and pepper. Place lid on the casserole dish and place in the oven for around an hour.

ST DAVID’S DAY - CAWL Welsh Cawl is a stew made with bacon, Welsh lamb or beef, cabbage and leeks. Like Irish Stew, the recipes will vary region to region and season to season. The broth created during cooking can also be served as a soup, so doubly cost-effective.

• 8oz/225g swede, peeled and diced • 8oz/225g onion, peeled and chopped • 8oz/225g carrots, peeled and diced • 8oz/225g leek, cleaned and sliced thin • A bunch of herbs: Bay, thyme, rosemary and parsley • 1⁄2 a small Savoy cabbage • 2tbsps vegetable oil • Salt and pepper Method 1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan.

2. Season the lamb shanks and add to the pan together with the onion. Brown all over.

5. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks; chop the carrots.

6. Remove the casserole from the oven. Mix in the carrots and then lay the potatoes on the top of the stew. Return to the oven and cook for around another 45.

7. Remove the thyme and bay leaves. The potatoes can 54

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Welsh Cawl ingredients Serves 6 Ingredients • 6 x small Welsh lamb shanks • 2 pints/1.2 litres water • 8oz/225g potatoes, peeled and diced

3. Pour over the water and add the herbs. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

4. Add all vegetables except the cabbage, bring up to the boil then simmer for 40 more minutes. Add shredded cabbage and cook for a further five minutes.

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MOTHERING SUNDAY - ROAST BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDING Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding remains one of England’s best-loved dishes, ideal for a Mothers Day Sunday Roast.

Serves 4-6 Ingredients • 21⁄2 lbs/1.25kg (21⁄2) lean beef topside joint • Salt and pepper • 2tsps/10ml mustard powder For the Yorkshire puddings • 3oz/75g plain flour • 2 eggs • 1⁄4/150ml of beer • 1-2 tbsp/15-30ml oil Method 1. Calculate cooking time of joint.

Rare - 20 minutes per 1lb/450g plus 20 minutes Medium - 25 minutes per 1lb/450g plus 25 minutes Well done - 30 minutes per 1lb/450g plus 30 minutes 2. Place in roasting tin and sprinkle with salt, black pepper and mustard powder before cooking at 180°C/ 350°F/ Gas mark 4-5.

Welsh Lamb Cawl

Roast Beef

3. At the same time, roast the potatoes, carrots and parsnips.

4. When cooked, take the meat out and allow to rest loosely wrapped in foil.

6. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/ 425°F/ Gas mark 7 for the Yorkshire puddings.

7. Yorkshire puddings – mix the flour and eggs, then add 150ml (1/4pt) beer and whisk until smooth. Divide 1the oil between four large or 12 small Yorkshire pudding tins and heat for 5-10 minutes. Pour the batter in the heated tin and cook for 20-25 minutes until risen and browned.

Serve with bubbly!

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ask thebusiness experts technology better

PLANNING FOR A NEW WEBSITE

We’ve seen a lot of specifications for new websites over the years, some fantastic and some... well, not so fantastic! If you’re after a new website for your club, you will want to ensure that it fulfils all your requirements and more. Larrytech offers the following advice.

n internal meeting with all the key people within your club to discuss your new website is always a good starting point. What is its purpose? What do you need it to do for the club? The following list are good discussion points.

A

• Club overview. Your website needs to outline who you are and your club’s ethos.

• Website objectives. What is wrong with your current website? For example, are current members after more information or are you trying to attract more prospective members to come and try your club out? Is your site visually out-ofdate and in need of a fresh look? Does it look terrible on mobile devices?

• Target market. This is a vitally important point. Of course you will want to target both current and prospective members, but what is your focus? Do you need/want to attract more members or do you just want to keep current members better informed?

• Design. Think about the message your club is trying to send via your website, look at other websites, draw inspiration from them and tell your web designer what you like or don’t like about them. The site will need to build on and enhance your club’s brand.

• Website functionality. There are numerous functions we can provide but we need to know what is important to you.

Of course once we know your requirements and requests, we will offer our own ideas and suggestions. We’ll need to know how you want the website to appear and function for users and any particular features you want included.

• Long term strategy. Have a think about your club’s long term plans, for example, you may want a new basic site quickly because you don’t currently have the budget for a large, feature rich site, however, you may want it set up with a view to developing it further down the line.

• Budget. Your short-term budget as well as your long term one over, say, the next three years is an important point to

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think about to help build the most effective web solution over a period of time.

• Project Specification. In our experience most efficiency is achieved by setting dates for work to start and for a launch date. We will of course let you know if the dates you have in mind are realistic given your requirements.

If your website is looking a bit tired and outdated or you’re after a brand spanking new site or, if you want to add more features or just want to discuss how your current site could be updated, please get in touch with Larrytech by email to sales@larrytech.com or call the team on 01892 888011.

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REFURBISHMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

ssk entertainment S U R R E Y

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S U S S E X

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K E N T

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL

• disco • quiz nights • master of ceremonies • weddings • birthday parties • award evenings • pa hire SSK Entertainment is based in Caterham, Surrey. We can provide all the ingredients you’ll need for your party, wedding, quiz night or any event at budgets to suit everyone. We operate anywhere in the Surrey, Sussex and Kent area.

TO CHAT ABOUT YOUR EVENT, REQUIREMENTS, BUDGET ETC PLEASE CALL DAVID FOSTER ON 07710 855295 or visit www.sskdisco.co.uk

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AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

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REFURBISHMENT

CF/24 Leather £114.90

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL

Leather RF/1U £45.90

TC/2B From £35.90 Wood Seat

WT/13 £59.90

TC/1B From £32.90 Wood Seat

PO/7 £84.90

Ridge bases From £37.00

OF/7A £39.90

OF/3G £24.90

RF/16 From £45.90

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