The buzz oct dec 2017

October - December 2017

and th e winne rs are...

Read all about the Brakspear Annual Awards on page 4

plus...

Save money on your bills marie curie update Silent Customer Blog ... and more! pub news | seasonal ales | welcome to the Brakspear family | marketing matters | BELL ST BREWERY BULLETIN

your t c a t n Co ou're y f i M BD ted interes

INSTALL KIT AND FREE 30LTR KEG WITH EVERY NEW INSTALL Offer runs 1st to 31st October 2017

What's Inside...

Welcome

T

his is the last issue of The Buzz in

Features

2017. It’s been an uncertain year

Brakspear Awards Party.............................4-5 Oh what a night!

for the UK as Brexit negotiations

evolve and we are still unsure of its

Silent Customer Blog.......................................9 How sophisticated is your customer journey?

Cockburn & Campbell Wine Offer........14-15 Don't miss out!

implications for the pub industry. In the meantime, all we can do is make sure our pubs are the ones where customers choose to spend their time and money, even if they become more cautious

Save Money on Costs..............................16-17

about spending it.

Don't get ripped off!

It’s probably best not to dwell on the so-called summer we’ve just had – which seemed to comprise a few hot days in June! Instead, let’s look at the opportunities that autumn presents for your pubs. The Jazz & Blues Festival returns for a fifth year in November and is a great way to encourage customers into your pub at a quiet time of year. And with Christmas approaching fast, now’s the time to finalise your festive menus, and perhaps offer our beer gift sets to your customers. Our marketing team can help you with both, see p19 for details.

Marie Curie...................................................... 18 An update on our charity partnership Marketing Matters.......................................... 19 Preparing for Christmas Drinkaware...................................................... 20

Regulars News............................................................. 6-7 Welcome to Brakspear................................11 We Love......................................................... 12 Bell St Brewery Bulletin............................ 13 Seasonal Ales............................................... 13 Training Courses.......................................... 21

Have a story you'd like to share in The Buzz? Get in touch at thebuzz@brakspear.co.uk Front cover: Our 2017 Brakspear Annual Awards Winners with Tom Davies

We have recently presented our annual Hospitality Awards, this year rewarding tenants from seven of our pubs who excelled either in one area of their business, or across the board, who are listed on pages 4 and 5. As ever, choosing the winners from the shortlists of talented tenants was a challenge for our judges, and everyone who collected a plaque or reached the finals should be very proud of their achievement. Thanks are due to Paul Clerehugh and his team at the Crooked Billet for hosting this event so splendidly for a second year.

At the awards event, we heard from Miriam Moody from our charity partner Marie Curie. It was good to learn more about the valuable work they do to support people with terminal illnesses and their families, and it certainly spurred us all on to support Marie Curie. A Yellow Balloon raffle and silent auction after dinner raised £3414, which takes us closer to our goal of raising £75,000 for the charity.

I will end by wishing you all a good final quarter to 2017, including a merry and prosperous Christmas and New Year. And please tell us about anything happening in your pub that we can include in future issues of The Buzz.

Tom

Tom Davies, Brakspear Chief Executive

Congratulations to...

Tenants Rich and Sam from the Reformation, Gallowstree Common on tying the knot on Saturday 12th August. They got married at Bix Manor, had their reception at the Greyhound, Rotherfield Peppard, and held an after-party at their pub.

Brakspear’s Business Development Manager John Beazley married partner Colleen on Sunday 27th August. They got married and held the reception at the Queens Hotel in Bournemouth.

Ryan Simpson, tenant at Orwells, Shiplake, married partner Liam Trotman on Saturday 26th August.

They got married at Henley registry office and had a festivalthemed reception by the river in Lower Shiplake, complete with glamping, live music, a hog roast, stone-baked pizzas and Caribbean food.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

3

Onto A Winner

T

enants from seven pubs stepped into the limelight at our

Tom Davies said, “Recognising and rewarding those tenants who

annual awards dinner to receive a Hospitality Award in

excel either in one area, or across the board, is something we take

recognition of their outstanding achievement.

seriously at Brakspear. We have changed the criteria and categories

The event, held for a second year at the Crooked Billet in Stoke Row,

welcomed around 115 tenants, Brakspear employees and suppliers, who enjoyed the delicious food from the pub’s team led by Paul Clerehugh, as well as drink provided by our partners. A good night was had by all, and especially the winners, who each received a

over the years, to ensure that all our pubs have a chance to win.

“Every year, judging the awards reminds us of the high quality tenants we are lucky enough to have running pubs with us.

Choosing the winners tonight was far from easy and they should all be proud of their achievement.”

commemorative plaque and £500.

best kept cellar

best newcomer( s )

Left: Gordon Dickens; Right: Clive Miners, Steven Crosby, Alex Venner

Winners: Gordon & Graeme Dickens at the Holly Bush, and Alex Venner, Steven Crosby & Clive Miners at the Red Lion, Cholsey “Both pubs have been taken on by newcomers to the industry who have achieved impressive results in a short space of time.”

Finalist: Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common

4

best sunday roast

Owen and Jade, with Tom Davies

Owen Hardy & Jade Jeffries, White Bear Judged by Roger Clayson of Cask Marque: “Excellent standards on everything related to beer service, from cellar temperature and cask rotation to glassware.”

Finalists: King William, Hailey Chequers, Fingest

Tom with Samantha and Richard

Samantha Murray & Richard Grant, Reformation Judged by Janet Wood of The Silent Customer: “An unassuming country pub with an impressively considered Sunday lunch and a welcome to be Finalists: proud of."

The Bull, Wargrave Row Barge, Henley White Horse, Kings Sutton Belgian Arms

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

best Garden

best business building best all round

Sean & Vanessa Arnett, Blackwood Arms

Daniel Wright, Joker, Brighton

Judged by experienced local gardener Julian Fearnley: “Immaculate borders, lovely range of plants throughout the seasons and great use of unique Finalists: features.”

Anchor, Henley Fox and Hounds, Englefield Green

Simon Duffy, Perch & Pike, South Stoke “A tenant who achieves consistently good results across all areas of his business. The Perch & Pike is a fantastic pub and follows Simon’s success the Rising Sun.”

Judged by Brakspear non-executive director Ed Turner: “This pub is part of the neighbourhood whilst also attracting those customers from further afield looking for a unique venue.This is an operation that continually evolves and has real longevity.”

Dan and Stacey were unable to attend our awards as they were away on their Finalists: honeymoon CATHERINE WHEEL, GORING SIX BELLS, WARBOROUGH

Finalists: Connaught, Brighton Fat Fox, Watlington

MARIE CU

Bid on ou

RIE AUCT

r auction

Fundraising at dinner for Marie Curie

Name

for the ch Pub

ION

ance to w

in...

Bid Amount

Our charity partner Marie Curie was also a winner at the awards dinner, as we raised money through a Yellow

2 ticket match to a Liverp s oo at to the Anfield witl FC Ca h and fulrlsberg Lo access l hospi unge tality A1 Marie Curie Balloon Raffle

PM PRINT.pdf 1 9/8/2017 5:05:10

Balloon raffle – guests bought a balloon and popped it to find a raffle ticket, collecting a prize from the stage if it was a winner – and a silent auction offering some fabulous prizes Miriam Moody from Marie Curie with Julie Gordon of the Leathern Bottle

including tickets to concerts and

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

sporting events. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and bid, to the

generosity of those who donated prizes and to Miriam from Marie Curie for compering the events. We raised a grand total of £3414 for Marie Curie on the night.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

5

NEWS Pedal Power for Marie Curie A team of three cyclists from Brakspear completed the Ride100 event, starting and finishing in London and taking in some of Surrey’s steepest hills!

Well done to marketing assistant Kate Thomas; Christian Baker, GM at the Pocket Watch and John Riddell, licensee at the Fat Fox, who raised £250 for Marie Curie.

george michael remembered George Michael fans gathered in Goring at the end of June for a celebration of the singer, who lived in Goring before his sad death last Christmas. The weekend – which would have been the star’s 54th birthday - was the culmination of months of planning by the team at the Catherine Wheel who turned their annual music festival into a two-day tribute called Spinning the Wheel, after one of his songs.

As well as renowned tribute artist James Bermingham, eight local bands provided free entertainment. The pub raised £2,795 for the Terence Higgins Trust, one of George’s favourite charities, through collecting buckets, a special Club Tropicana pizza, festival glasses and an auction by fan club The George Michael Lovelies.

Landlady Vanessa said, “We served more than 2,000 customers over the weekend, some from as far away as Canada and Australia. We’re already making plans for Spin the Bottle 2 next year.”

Sad Times

In Memory of Ellie Ellie Gallagher Blues, landlady at the Butchers Arms in Sonning Common, died on 30 July after a long illness.

Ellie with husband Rob

Ellie was 46 years old and originally from Ireland. She and Rob Blues took on the Butchers Arms in February 2012, and were married the following year. Together, they turned the pub into one of the most popular in the area, winning a Brakspear Hospitality Award in 2014.

After Ellie’s sad diagnosis of bowel cancer, the Butchers Arms made Beating Bowel Cancer its chosen charity, raising impressive sums, mainly through the annual ‘Butchers Bikes’ cycle rides, led by Rob. Tom Davies, said, “Everyone at Brakspear was saddened by the news of Ellie’s death. She was a warm and welcoming person, which made her an outstanding landlady. Our thoughts are with Rob and the rest of her family at this difficult time.”

6

Christian Baker, Kate Thomas & John Riddell

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

Photo: Henley Standard

Hundreds of people came to a ‘Big Bash’ held at the pub at the end of September in memory of Ellie Gallagher Blues, who died on 30 July.

As well as a range of beers and a barbecue, customers enjoyed performances from several local bands including The Echo, Electric Colts and Who is Smith, as well as a treasure hunt and face painting.

The Big Bash raised thousands of pounds for the Sue Ryder Hospice at Nettlebed, where Ellie was cared for earlier this year, and for Beating Bowel Cancer.

Rob said, “The Big Bash was about Ellie but it was also about raising money and enjoying the music. It was an amazing day and her family said she’d have been very proud of it. We’re already planning to repeat the event next year, and make it even better.”

Rob Blues (second from left) with co-organisers Andy Houghton, Clive Robin and Graham Field

NEWS

Jolly Good Score!

Congratulations to the team at the

Perch & Pike Gets Involved

Jolly Brickmakers in Redhill, who scored 100% in their latest Silent Customer visit. The mystery guests enjoyed all aspects of their visit to the pub, from the cleanliness, saying “the tenants clearly take a great pride in their pub”, to the product knowledge, “the barman explained the ales and wines with great expertise”, and the customer service, “they treated every customer as if they were the only customer, we were made to feel quite special.” Added touches like the old fashioned jukebox and the humorous wall plaques were also praised.

Well done to licensee Iain Mountain and his team for this outstanding score.

Iain Mountain of the Jolly Brickmakers with BDM Gavin Mansfield

Helping with Honey Bee

The Perch & Pike was thanked by the local community in South Stoke for its generous support for the village’s annual barbecue.

Landlord Simon Duffy donated the delicious burgers for the feast, as well as a raffle prize and was apparently an ‘enthusiastic’ bidder in the auction to win a four hour adventure in the village bus. The day raised £1,500 which was donated to the operators of the village bus.

Perch & Pike landlord Simon Duffy (far left), pictured in the South Stoke newsletter

Our Honey Bee seasonal honey ale raised £2,890 for the Friends of the Earth ‘Bee Cause’ campaign to help Britain’s under-threat bees.

Barbecue and Band for Marie Curie

Honey Bee was sold in our pubs during April and May this year, back by popular demand after it was originally brewed in 2015.

This time, it was brewed not just at the Bell Street Brewery, but at the Wychwood Brewery, enabling more pubs to stock it. For every pint of Honey Bee sold, Brakspear donated 10 pence to Bee Cause.

Tom Davies (centre) with Friends of the Earth’s Caitlin Nisos (left) and Adam Scott (right), enjoying Honey Bee

Getting in the Swim Despite heavy rainfall and dark skies on the day of this year’s Henley Club to Pub Swim on 22 July, 520 swimmers took to the Thames and completed the 1.5km course. All finishers enjoyed a bottle of Brakspear’s Two Bells commemorative beer at the end of the race, at the Angel on the Bridge, where many stayed on with friends and family for a post-swim party.

The swim, now in its fourth year, has been supported by Brakspear since its start. This year, Two Bells beer went on sale on draught in a number of our pubs in Henley, with 10p per pint sold going to Sue Ryder, Henley Swim’s charity partner, raising a total of £122. In addition, a competition at the Angel, with customers donating £1 to guess the number of fish-shaped sweets in a jar, raised £152.

Amber Martin, team member at the Angel on the Bridge, with the sweet competition

The Coachmakers Arms in Wallingford staged a barbecue with live music at the end of June, raising an impressive £325 for Marie Curie.

Licensee Josh Haynes generously ‘topped up’ the amount to £500 for the charity.

While a DJ and live band enter tained customers, the pub team raised money through a raff le, collecting buckets, £1 donations from every burger and cocktail sold and a ‘guess the length’ of a curled up sausage competition.

Josh took on the pub with parents David and Hayley in March this year.

Live music at the Coachmakers Arms

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

7

NEWS Bus to Beer Fest

A party of Brakspear licensees, pub team members and head office staff travelled to this year’s Great British Beer Festival aboard a London Routemaster bus. The group, of 68 people, gathered at the Pocket Watch in Shepherd’s Bush for a pre-fest brunch of bacon and sausage baps before boarding the bus for the journey to Olympia, where they enjoyed sampling the hundreds of beers that make the GBBF event one of the highlight of the beer lover’s year.

All aboard for the GBBF

Tractor Runs at New Inn The New Inn ran a series of Tractor Runs over the summer, taking customers round the beautiful local countryside. The rides took place on Thursday evenings and attracted up to 80 people, so the tractor was kept busy, taking groups of up to 20 at a time.

Back at the pub, customers enjoyed drinks and often a barbecue and entertainment. The Tractor Run was also part of the New Inn’s Wild West Day in July, which also included live music, Hog Roast and bouncy castle and face painting for the children. It raised £650 for local charities.

Landlady Dora Symborska said, “The Tractor Runs were really popular, huge thanks to our drivers John Lamborne and Paul Jenkins for making them so enjoyable. They’ll continue to run as long as the weather allows.”

New Inn landlady Dora Symborska (right) at the Wild West event

Beerfest at the Horns The Horns ran its second Beer Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend, serving around 400 guests with a selection of 12 ales from a number of brewers including Bedlam, Nook Brew House and Adnams.

It wasn’t all about the beer though; there was also a gin bar offering some exciting G+T combinations with Fevertree mixers and garnishes. Family games such as swing ball and lawn croquet were laid out in the garden for all to enjoy, while acoustic duet Steven Moreno band entertained guests on Sunday evening.

Landlady Sandra Purdy said, “The weather was lovely over the weekend so that really helped make the festival a great success. We lost count of how many glasses we washed – I think we’ll be switching to plastic next year!”

A selection of beers served at the Horns’ festival

8

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

Caribbean Comes to Clayton's Clayton’s Marlow threw a Bar-Bados party on the August Bank Holiday, with a Caribbean theme to drinks and food. Guests enjoyed Clayton’s Rum Punch, Tik Tiki Boom, and barbecue specials Jerk Chicken and Reggae Chicken Burger, while a steel band played in the garden. With hot and sunny weather, Clayton’s was definitely the place to be and the event was a great success.

Celebrity Spotter Our pubs have attracted a number of A-listers ove r re c e n t m o n t h s .

The Blackwood Arms welcomed cast and crew from two major TV programmes, as both Top Gear and Back – the new Mitchell & Webb series – chose to film in the beautiful pub on Littleworth Common. In Henley, Jason Segel, aka Marshall from hit TV s e ri e s H ow I Met Your Mother, was spotted in the Angel on the Bridge a nd Bu l l o n Bel l Street, while in town for the wedding of Russell Brand, who lives locally. The Coachmakers Arms has welcomed cricketer Phil Tufnell and a c to r J o h n B ra d l e y West,aka Samwell Tarly from Game of Thrones.

And finally, at the King William, Hailey, music legend Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin popped in for a bite to eat.

Top Left: Blackwood Arms landlord Sean Arnett with Matt Le Blanc; Above Right: Jason Segal with team members at the Angel on the Bridge; Above: Pey McCowan with Jimmy Page at the King William

Janet Wood from Silent Customer

In Janet’s latest blog entry, she looks into how we, as a Brakspear collective, have improved our customer experience over the last 7 years. The graph below shows how when we started working with Silent Customer we were ahead of our time in running a mystery dining programme across our pubs, especially as we were in the middle of a credit crunch. This was proven when we won 'Best Tenanted & Leased Pub Company' at the publican awards in 2014 a few years later.

H

owever we don’t put this tool in progress to beat people.

Constantly pointing out what staff are doing wrong is demoralising.

There’s a three stage process which takes time to put

Being able to reward team members for delivering a service experience

together and needs constant monitoring and tweaking as

above and beyond that which is expected, is a very powerful way of

your teams become more sophisticated in their service

motivating change and of employee engagement.

approach.

Janet highlights the three main stages which will help your customers’

2) Compliance: All singing from the same hymn sheet

experience in the future.

Pubs who have an average of under 80% lack systems and

1) Awareness: You don't know, what you don't know

procedures. This chaos is usually generated by senior management

Initially you need to know where you are on the graph above and you can only find this out by asking

who, not only keep moving the goal posts, but keep changing the rules of the game so the players all run around like headless chickens and eventually just give up and leave. Putting together a Silent Customer journey creates a game plan

the Silent Customers to tell you

that everyone can sit down and

things that you are not aware of:

agree on, making everyone

For example:

accountable.

Maybe your customers are

3 ) Co m p e t i t i o n : Reward motivates change and raises the benchmark

trying to book a table but the phone isn't being answered.

Maybe your customers are looking at your Trip Advisor

Whether you are a competitive

management responses which

p e rs o n o r n ot , we a l l l i ke

are putting them off.

recognition when we have done something well or better than

Maybe your customers are not

before. This has a knock on

returning because they find it to be too cold, too bright, too stark, too dated, too unwelcoming or just,

effect of keeping the standards self-perpetuating in improvement. The

simply, underwhelming?

more consistently a company achieves 90% the more detailed and

Your customers will not tell you, to your face, what they would like to

sophisticated the customer journey becomes!

be done differently. Silent Customers will tell you, kindly, what your

So ask yourself honestly; if you plotted your own service graph over 7

customers are experiencing because they have the advantage of

years what would it look like?

anonymity.

On the other, more positive side of the coin and more importantly: Maybe a team member has delighted a customer who has become a raving advocate and has referred several other customers to you.

Do you have any views on this? Then let Janet

Maybe one of your sites has been consistently delighting customers,

know on her blog. Or if you would like to see

above the others, but you've not been aware of it.

what else Janet has been writing about, please visit www.thesilentcustomer.com/blog.html.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

9

Welcome to Brakspear A warm welcome to the new tenants and lessees who have joined Brakspear recently. We look forward to helping you all to grow thriving pub businesses with us.

And we are delighted that the following tenants have renewed their agreement with us:

jolly millers, bexley heath

Simon & Sarah Bailey

John & Kealey Dooley

leicester arms, penshurst

jolly Brickmakers, redhill

Christopher Cozens

Iain Mountain

Flower Pot, Sunbury

Pachangas, henley Aishling Hageman-Rowe Prince of Wales, Caversham Andrew & Jacqueline James Prince of Wales, Brixton John Gerald Hughes

Meant to Be John & Kealey Dooley reopened the Jolly Millers in Bexley Heath in September. The couple ran a pub for 11 years in nearby Lewisham, but this is their first as tenants.

The pub has had an extensive refurbishment. An internal wall was removed to create a more open feel and bi-fold doors installed to link the interior to the garden.

Kealey said, “Even though we’ve only just reopened, we feel as though we’ve been at the pub for a while. The regulars have been really supportive, coming back as soon as the refurb was complete and we’ve already lined up a regular pub quiz and two pool teams.”

She added, “When we were looking for a pub, I initially wanted to move further away, but the Jolly Millers kept popping up on my computer.

Perhaps that was a sign we were meant to take it, and now that we’re here, it certainly feels like home. “

Pictured clockwise from Top Left: Iain Mountain of the Jolly Brickmakers; Simon and Sarah Bailey of the Flower Pot; Kealey Dooley outside the Jolly Millers with BDM Gavin Mansfield

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

11

we love...

Looking ahead to Christmas your Christmas menus and decorations yet? Don’t forget we have FREE

5th November – Guy Fawkes Night

Christmas banners for you to hang up outside your pubs, as well as

Remember, remember the 5th of November! Make the most of this date

Christmas opening times posters and Christmas draw posters too.

and hold a bonfire and fireworks evening at your pub to help boost

It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas! Have you sorted

trade on a Sunday evening.

9

th

October – National Curry Week Starts

Did someone say curry? This week is dedicated to curry so spice up this week in October and offer a number of curry specials to your menu. See if your customers can handle the heat!

12th October – National Day of Spain

10th – 19th November – Brakspear Jazz & Blues Week That’s right, Brakspear Jazz and Blues Week is back for the fifth year. It’s time to get your pub rocking and rolling during a typically

¡Olé! Make your locals feel like they’re in Spain by popping some Spanish tapas on your menu for the day.

quiet month. Use this week to help lift your November sales by driving new and existing customers into your pub. All you’ll need to do is book and pay for your act and we’ll help you publicise your event for free. If you need help with contact details for jazz and blues

31st October – Halloween Keep your cauldrons bubbling with fun ideas to get the whole family involved this Halloween. Take this as the

musicians or bands, we can help, just get in touch! Visit page 19 for more info on the Jazz and Blues Week.

opportunity to help raise money for Marie Curie too. Decorate your pub, organise a pumpkin carving competition, and design ‘spooktacular’ cocktails with a voluntary 50p donation to charity.

4th November – National Roast Dinner Day Promote this event to help tempt customers into your pub during a typically quiet month. You could make this a family event by making all children’s roasts half price.

Have you planned your New Year’s Eve celebrations yet?

See in 2018 in style by putting on a New Year’s Eve party with free nibbles, live music and get the pub packed without charging. A busier the pub the more drinks sold!

12

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

Bell St. Brewery

Bulletin

Over the up and coming months, there’s going to be a few different beers for you to try. Firstly, in October we’ll have our first ever red ale available at the b rewe r y . Re d Ta i l i s named after the very common, Red-tailed B u m b l e b e e , fo u n d i n g a rd e n s, fa rm l a n d , wo o d l a n d e d g e s a n d hedgerows. This rich, red ale is brewed using Ca ra re d M a l ts a n d Amarillo Hops and has a 4.9% ABV. In November and December, two firm favourites at the brewery will make comeback as well.

Seasonal Ales

October: Wild Boar 4% ABV One of Ringwood Brewery’s first recipes from their archives, Wild Boar is an auburn beer with a warming and rich malt finish.

November: Island Time Session IPA 4.5% ABV Session IPA is a light golden ale, built with a variety of US hops giving a grapefruit, pine nose and spicy hop finish.

Brakspear Old will be available in November. Brewed using the original Brakspear Old recipe from the New Street brewery, this rich, caramel flavoured ale

i s

the perfect drink to be enjoyed during the autumnal months.

Remember it’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas, it’s just around the corner! Very Merry will be available throughout December. This full bodied bitter has a 6% ABV and accompanies the festive period with its full and rich flavour. There will be a limited stock of Very Merry so snap it up whilst you can!

If you haven’t tried one of our Bell St Brewery beers, then please do get in touch. Phone Yaz on 01491 570223 or email yazminn@brakspear. co.uk.

December: Oh Be Joyful 4.3% ABV Guaranteed to get you feeling festive, or at least make you feel better after the Christmas shopping, this rich fruity spiced ale is dark and complex with a warming finish.

Order via Heineken

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

13

Beer Festivals don't get

Ripped Off!

With the Great British Beer Festival taking place on 8th – 12th August, we wanted to show you the benefits and ease of hosting a Beer Festival in your pub.

As the weather improves (fingers crossed!) over the summer months, what could be a better way to introduce your customers to cask ales? Hosting a Beer Festival, not only showcases your range of ales, but it also gets customers

A Quick Guide

into your pub for an extended period of time. Customers are eager to try all the different ales available in order to compare the flavour and see which variety of ales is their favourite.

There comes a time when unfortunately you will m i s t a ke n l y m a ke c o s t l y purchasing errors.

Too often important tasks are sorted at speed. Boxes quickly ticked. Electricity/gas, telecoms/broadband, merchant services, insurance, and refuse collection et c , et c , et c a re to o q u i c k l y arranged and signed up too. The potential impact upon the bottom line of the business is completely underestimated. 80% of the pubs’ Control Costs audit are found to overspend £10K per year on operating expenditure (excluding rent, wet purchases & payroll).

As pub operators, you have enough challenges. Paying too much for products/services undermines the potential for success. It is possible to avoid such pitfalls.

The spotlight falls upon electricity & gas supply agreements.

To improve bottom-line conversion, you must get into the guts of operating expenses. Under such scrutiny electricity and gas costs often feature heavily.

14

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

Businesses are commonly the victims of rogue energy suppliers looking to feed off them. Control Costs works with business owners to avoid personal and financial heartache. Key disciplines are employed to safeguard against rogue operators, sharp practice and just plain dumb deals.

Rogue Operators Very effective, persuasive telephone operatives are at large.

Avoid the fate of an Oxfordshire business owner set to pay £34,000 too much for electricity & gas (over the lifetime of the supply agreement). Avoid ill-advised telephone discussions. The only response to telephone business cold calls should be to HANG UP! If tempted simply ask that the caller to put their offer in writing.

Fleetwood based BES have been very effective in the Berkshire/ Oxfordshire area tying pubs into costly agreements sold over the phone. BES met their match in Rich & Sam at the Reformation, Gallowstree Common. Control Costs offered up some guidelines to exit a supply agreement and the couple steered their business away from BES & onto an agreement which reduced their annual bill 12%.

Michael Beveridge from Control Costs

for an electricity and gas quote offered by broker upon taking over the pub last year. A Control Costs alternative quote was £2,813 lower per year.

Dumb Deals Simply renewing existing supplier agreements or allowing rollover without challenge proves costly. We repeat - TAKE A SECOND OPINION (FROM CONTROL COSTS)! Dora at the New Inn, Kidmore sensed that her electricity and gas renewal quotes were overpriced. A Control Costs alternative quote was £3,397 lower per year.

Sharp Practice Any advisor producing previously unsighted agreements for signing should be treat with extreme caution. Commonly electricity and gas agreements land in this way (particularly for start-ups). Sign and kiss goodbye to £1,000s. A Surrey business owner signed a 3 year electricity and gas deal in such circumstances. An action which will cost in the region of £11.7K!! NEVER SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITHOUT AT LEAST TAKING A SECOND OPINION. The Catherine Wheel, Goring did not settle

Need a second opinion?

Michael Beveridge at Control Costs suggests pubs get a health check on their current electricity and gas supply agreement costs.

Simply email copies of your latest electricity/gas bills to controlcosts@aol. co.uk. Feedback will be given by comparing your deal to the best currently available on the market. This exercise will ensure that tenants know what savings are possible when current supply agreements end. You could be in for a pleasant surprise and have something to look forward too.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

15

Cockburn & Campbell Many Changes at Cockburn and Campbell As many of you know, Rebecca is now on maternity leave and will

This all comes at a time when C&C is still settling into its new

be returning to Cockburn and Campbell in autumn 2018. Whilst

home at Marston’s; although a slightly rockier start than we

away, the lovely Ali Penn will be looking after Brakspear and all

would have hoped for, we have been working hard to ensure as

your wine and spirits needs!

little disruption as possible and the wine team are working on an

Ali has worked in the drinks industry for over 20 years with lots of experience working in the free trade sector. After 4 years working at Charles Wells, Ali has returned to her true passion in wine at Cockburn and Campbell.

exciting project to launch a new look portfolio in 2018.

So wish you all well and see you on my return - R x Ali's contact details: alison.penn@marstons.co.uk 07971 148213

Ali's Top Christmas Tipples...

From the 3rd generation, familyrun Pasqua stable in the outskirts of

‘Romeo & Juliet’ series… with labels

Bianco ‘Juliet’ PassioneSentimento, Pasqua Icons | Veneto, ITALY

taken straight from the love letters on

Alluring and elegant white with intense

the walls at Juliet’s house, these classy

aromas of citrus, almond and peaches with a crisp and lingering finish.

beautiful Verona in North East Italy

Rosso ‘Romeo’ PassioneSentimento, Pasqua Icons | Veneto, ITALY

come this fantastic pair of wines… the

A beautifully smooth and rich red wine

looking wines are not to be missed and

with intense red berry with

are fantastic wines for over the winter

hints of spice, velvety

months pairing with heartier dishes.

tannins and a soft finish.

Both wines are made with partially

£8.70 a bottle SAP CODE: 69303

dried grapes which add complexity and depth of flavour as well as a creamy, more full-bodied texture – simply delicious, one glass and you’ll be looking for the rest of the bottle!

…and not to forget – the perfect sticky to pair with a mince pie next to fire, deliciously sweet PX Sherry!

Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Bella Luna | SPAIN Deep aromas of raisin, date and honey with a complex, long and candied fruit finish. £6.55 (½ bottle) | SAP CODE: 68822

16

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

£8.70 a bottle SAP CODE: 69302

Ali Penn from Cockburn & Campbell

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

17

Fundraising for Marie Curie Gathers Pace

Our fundraising for Marie Curie is moving at a pace now. We

Thanks to everyone who has raised money so far. Let’s keep

still have a way to go to hit our target of £75,000, but if all our

going! And please send in your fundraising stories and photos

pubs get involved, even if it’s just by putting a collecting tin on

to thebuzz@brakspear.co.uk

the bar, or asking for voluntary donations for water carafes or one menu item, then we’re confident we’ll get there.

FUTURE FUNDRAISING

How Marie Curie Help

Spooky suggestions

Don Hancock tells us how,

Turn your pub into your very own haunted house to raise money with these ideas from Marie Curie:

with help from Marie Curie,

Haunted pub - Hold a Halloween party and ask your staff and customers to dig out those ghoulish garments hiding in their wardrobe, paying £2 to dress up.

could celebrate a special last

Trick-or-Treat Tombola - Customers give a donation to put their hand into a box where they pick out either a trick or treat. Offer a prize if a treat is chosen and get creative with some in-pub tricks!

“The Marie Curie Nurses

Pumpkin Carving Competition - Ask your customers to donate to enter your pumpkin masterpiece and be in with the

took the time to get to know

chance to win a tempting treat.

his wife Brenda (pictured) birthday and Christmas at home with her family.

helped create such a lovely atmosphere at home. They my wife. They were never in a rush, nothing was too much trouble and everything was done with a smile.

Festive jumper day

“Without Marie Curie we wouldn't have had such a special

Over the weekend of 15-17th December we would love to see as many of you as possible donning your most festive outfit and getting into the Christmas spirit.

Each member of staff can donate to take part and why not get your customers involved too? You could even offer a prize for the best/ worst jumper! And be sure you take photos and send them to us: miriam. moody@mariecurie.org

last birthday and Christmas with Brenda. Their support meant

If you need any fundraising materials for Halloween or Christmas, send them to Miriam at the email address below.

marathon man Dean Bigley (pictured left), GM at

I could get proper rest and could enjoy our time together. A good night’s sleep makes all the difference.”

Don't Delay, Pay In Today Don’t forget to pay in any money you’ve raised, and the sooner you do, the sooner we can help more people living with a terminal illness. You can do this online, at a Natwest bank or post office or via cheque. Just get in touch with brakspear@ mariecurie.org.uk for more details.

the Bull on Bell Street in Henley, is in training for the London Marathon after securing a place to run the event in aid of Marie Curie. He says, “I set myself a goal of completing my first Marathon before the age of 30, and I’m just managing it before my birthday in May. I chose Marie Curie because I saw the great work they did with a family friend, supporting not just the patient but the family too.”

You can support Dean by donating to Marie Curie at www.justgiving.com/deanbigley

18

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

CONTACT MARIE CURIE Marie Curie are here to help us with fundraising, by giving us ideas and advice. Our account manager, Miriam Moody, is happy to help and you can contact her on 020 7599 7307 or miriam.moody@mariecurie.org Charity reg. no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland)

marketing

Brakspear marketing manager Emma Sweet gives advice on how to better market your pub.

Christmas Prep A5 Christmas Buffet Menu - Retreat FINAL PRINT.pdf 1 7/10/2017 3:06:37 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

jingle all the way PARTY MENU FROM £24.95PP BUFFET MENU £14.50PP

XMAS DAY £65PP

£5 BAR TAB FOR EVERY PERSON TO GET YOUR PARTY STARTED. £20 VOUCHER FOR THE PARTY ORGANISER!

ASK AT THE BAR FOR MORE DETAILS

H

opefully by now your Christmas menus are finished and available for customers to pick up (if not, get in touch and I can help with the design and print!). Just a reminder that our gift sets are available for free. They’re ideal for selling on your back bar. We recommend price of £10. Get in touch with Janet to order the gift boxes and Brakspear handled glasses free of charge. All you have to do is buy the bottles from Heineken (Brakspear bitter and Oxford Gold are available in 500ml).

We also have festive banners available too (no charge!) so get in touch if you’d like one.

Brakspear Gift Box

Contact janet@brakspear.co.uk or phone 01491 570205.

free firkin of brakspear bitter

for all those who take part this year!

NEW for 2017, this free firkin is to help fund your band. November can be the calm before the storm before Christmas, so boost your sales and get involved. Book (and pay) for your act, and we’ll publicise your event for free. In order to qualify for the free firkin, all we ask is that the band you book perform jazz and/or blues music, the date coincides with our Week (10th – 19th Nov ’17) and you let us know by 13th Oct ’17.

At no extra cost you’ll get:

 Drip mats  Listing on our website  Posters

We can also help if you need contacts to finding a jazz or blues m usician or band too, just get in touch.

November is typically a quiet months for the pub trade, so be a part of something that will drive new and existing customers into your pub.

FREE f irkin & printed programmes to those who confirm their act before 13th Oct!

JUST LET US KNOW WHEN YOU’VE BOOKED YOUR ACT, AND WE’LL START PROMOTING YOUR EVENT! Contact emma@brakspear.co.uk tel 01491 570217 If you have any questions, or just fancy a chat, please get in touch too.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

19

Drinkaware: Supporting Responsible Retailing As a responsible drinks retailer, Brakspear is a funder of Drinkaware, the alcohol education charity that seeks to reduce the harms linked to alcohol misuse. Their work is broad and targets a wide range of audiences from consumers, health professionals, Government and employers to retailers in the on and off-trade.

Drinkaware Chief Executive Elaine Hindal said: “Drinkaware recognises that alcohol is part of everyday life for many people and can be enjoyed in moderation. What our various campaigns seek to do is minimise the harms associated with excessive drinking.

“We are grateful to the many licensees who support our aims, whether that’s by offering a great range of no or low-alcohol options for customers who choose not to drink, or taking steps to make their venues safer places

Drinkaware Chief Executive Elaine Hindal

for vulnerable customers by putting their staff through our e-learning course, for example.”

Alcohol Vulnerability Awareness e-learning: a new course designed to give team members the skills to identify vulnerable customers and support those at risk from harm. The course costs £20 per team member, to purchase or find out more, contact elearning@ drinkaware.co.uk The e-learning course was created for use by pubs and bars which are too small to take Drinkaware Crew – additional staff teams employed by a growing number of larger venues, who receive special training in how to support young vulnerable customers.

Pictured Right: screen shots from the e-learning course

Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive:

“The vast majority of customers in our pubs drink sensibly and cause no harm to themselves or others.

However, as we approach the busy Christmas period, when there is more risk of customers drinking too much and becoming vulnerable as a result, it is surely a good idea for pubs to review how well their staff teams are able to support these customers.”

20

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

Drinkaware by numbers • 70%: proportion of adults aged 18-65 who have heard of Drinkaware • 9.2 million: unique visitors to the website in 2016 • 1.6 million: Drinkaware unit and calorie counters given to health workers (as well as 800,000 measuring cups) • 380,000: app downloads • 107: Drinkaware funders • 15: local areas where Drinkaware Crews operate

training

Up and Coming Training Courses Don’t forget we have a range of training courses for you and your staff members. These are extremely beneficial as they are designed to improve the overall experience for your customers in your pub.

Here’s what is coming up over the next few months...

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

Ever wanted to know more about wine, what the different grape varieties taste like, and matching the right wines with the right food? Then sign up to our free beginners or intermediate awards in wines course from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

This is a nationally recognised qualification. Please note the cost is £150 if you do not attend the course, and we need at least one month’s notice if you cannot attend. You cannot substitute other members of staff in, as the name and date of birth has to be confirmed one month before. Please note, these are the rules of the WSET, not Brakspear.

WHERE & WHEN?

The Bull on Bell Street. Starts at 9.30am, finishing at 5pm with lunch provided.

Beginner Course: 7th November.

CELLAR MANAGEMENT

The Award in Beer and Cellar Quality is a BII accredited training course and is designed to help you improve yields (by up to 7%), increase sales (3%) and decrease wastage. Packed with advice, tips and hints to help you grow your beer sales and improve your beer quality.

WHERE & WHEN?

26th October at 9.30pm, Bull on Bell Street, Henley on Thames and 28th October at 9.30pm at the Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Please contact Gill at head office on 01491 570214 or gill@brakspear.co.uk to secure your place.

The Buzz | Autumn 2017

21

No artificial preservatives Premium 100% pressed & squeezed The definitive for cocktails Used by bartenders across the UK

Buy any 6 cases and receive a case of Pour & Stores FREE*

*Maximum of 2 sets per venue. Each set of Pour & Stores contains 6 x individual pourers. eagerdrinks.com

Useful Numbers Heineken - Telesales

Heineken UK: Normal Order Line ..0345 8787075 (option 1) Cellar Services ...0345 8787075 (option 2 Customer Services then Option 1 Tech Services)

MARSTON'S Ali Penn ..................................... 07971 148213 Telesales ................................... 0808 1646010 email..... brakspearorders@marstons.co.uk

Other Brewers Guinness.................................... 0845 7515101 AB Inbev................................... 0845 7100600 Carlsberg................................... 0845 7820820 Miller Brands.......................... 0845 6520065

Brakspear Brakspear Credit Control – Kelly.....01491 570233 Brakspear office – Janet.....01491 570205 Reactive Maintenance: Tony Lewis...... 9am – 5pm: 07720 808998 ..........................out of hours: 07788 500600 John Trickey... 9am – 5pm: 07725203770 ..........................out of hours: 07788 500600

Sign up to our text service to be kept up-todate with free kits & promos – text your name and pub name starting your message with BRAKSPEAR to 07786200690

Our Contact Info

Brakspear, The Bull Courtyard, Bell Street, Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 2BA Tel: 01491 570200 Email: info@brakspear. co.uk www.brakspear.co.uk

/BrakspearPubs

24

The Buzz | Autumn 2017