News round-up June 28-July 5, 2010:
Eclectic Clubs & Bars, 42Below, Greene King, Abelha, Eristoff, Searcy, Stella Artois, Fabric, Four Roses, Kopparberg, WKD, Diageo World Class

Eclectic plans expansion after profits rise

Eclectic Clubs and Bars, which operates brands such as Po Na Na and Sakura, is pressing ahead with new venues after increasing profits. Its private-equity owner Avanti Capital reported that the operator’s earnings (EBITDA) for the 11 months to the end of May 2010 were up 57 per cent on the same period last year while total sales were up 12 per cent and like-for-like sales were up three per cent. It is on course to open its third Japanese-themed bar Sakura, which will be in Manchester, and last week unveiled a new Polynesian concept, Lola Lo (pictured), in Brighton. “Negotiations are currently ongoing in respect of a number of other interesting opportunities,” the company added.

Winners in 42Below Cocktail World Cup

The regional finals of the 42Below Cocktail World Cup continue this week after winners were decided last week in Leeds, Edinburgh and west and east London. The winning trio from each region form a team for the national final in London in October where they compete to represent the UK at the global final in New Zealand next year. The Leeds winners were Rob Worsley of Boutique, James Coston of Jake’s Bar and Scott Tyler of Bibsi. Edinburgh’s top three were Nick Reed of Raconteur, Aaron Jones of Rick’s and Ben McFarlane of Tigerlily. The West London winners were Zdenek Kastanek of Quo Vadis, Glenn Morgan of Academy and Andy Mill of the London Cocktail Club, while East London’s trio are Julian de Feral of Lutyens, Victor Nordelof of Callooh Callay and Dan Hutchins-Read of Saf. This week’s regional finals are in Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Brighton.

Diageo World Class names UK winner

Erik Lorincz of the Connaught Bar at the Connaught Hotel in London will represent the UK in the Diageo World Class global final in Greece this month after winning the UK finals. The 13 competitors faced various challenges such as a test of product knowledge and creating a digestif and an aperitif. Lorincz beat Stephen Martin from Rick’s Bar in Edinburgh in the last round with a cocktail, Rising To The Sky, made with Tanqueray No.10, yuzu juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, coriander leaves, sugar syrup and fino sherry. It was held at Millbank Tower in London, with judges including mixologist Andy Pearson and John Torode and Gregg Wallace of Masterchef.

Stella Artois Black to launch in autumn

AB InBev is launching a new golden lager, Stella Artois Black, into “selected on-trade locations” from the autumn. With an ABV of 4.9 per cent, it will be produced in Belgium and provide a “premium plus” experience “with bespoke font, glassware and a reverential pouring ritual”, according to AB InBev UK president Stuart MacFarlane.

Searcy plans roll-out after MBO

Bar and restaurant operator Searcy is planning to open more outlets after a management buy-out. Its existing chairman Richard Tear and chief executive Doug Tetley led the takeover of the company, which was founded in 1847, from Alternative Hotel Group, the operator of De Vere Hotels. The management team said they had secured £3million of funding from Barclays Corporate to support roll-out of its bars. Tetley said: “We plan to focus on the company’s core strengths to maintain that success going forward — namely the management of the food and beverage operations at prestigious venues, as well as the identification of other suitable locations for our champagne bars.

Managed house strategy for Greene King

Greene King, the operator and brewer, has revealed plans to cut the size of its tenanted estate over the next five years to focus more on managed houses. The Suffolk group intends to reduce the number of tenanted outlets by 20 per cent to 1,200 and increase the managed retail estate by more than 10 per cent by 2015 on the back of a more brand- and food-led strategy. It also revealed a rise of nearly four per cent in pre-tax profits to £123million for the year to May 2 alongside a three per cent increase in turnover to £984.1million. Its managed estate saw an 0.8 per cent lift in operating profits to £106.4million while its Scottish retail estate, Belhaven, boosted turnover by 11.7 per cent to £151.9million, with operating profits up 8.3 per cent to £32.7million.

New look and distributor for Abelha

Organic cachaça Abelha is set for a new push in the UK bar trade after the launch of a new label and the appointment of distributor Love Drinks, a specialist in premium brands. With a name meaning “bee” in Portuguese, it has a unique honeyed note and is produced ethically by a network of small-holding farmers using all-natural ingredients and traditional artisan methods. It was launched by the Responsible Trading Company, founded by Anthony Goh and Hal Stockley, who have already gained pouring status at a number of bars, including Gaucho Restaurants nationwide, as well as listings such as Las Iguanas. They have also updated the label, aiming to retain the fun artisan feel of the product but “in a more sophisticated manner”.

Edinburgh bars fight toilet rule

Edinburgh City Council faces a legal fight from bar operators over its attempts to impose a rule that venues must have one toilet for every 30 customers. Under new regulations within the Licensing Act, the local authority’s licensing board is attempting to limit capacity allowed in a bar, club or pub based on toilet numbers. Operator Caledonian Heritable is fighting the ruling for its outlets The Pear Tree, Clark’s Bar and the Ormelie Bar.

New owners save Fabric

Fabric nightclub has been sold for an undisclosed sum to a new consortium called Fabric Life after going into administration. The new owners are led by private investor Gary Kilbey, and will continue to operate the iconic London venue as Fabric. However, sister club Matter – which forced the company into administration – remains closed. David Chubb, joint administrator with Colin Haig from PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: “Through the sale of the business, the jobs of over 100 people will be saved. We kept the club open during the administration and this would not have been possible without loyal employees, clientele and suppliers.”

Bottle redesign for Eristoff

New packaging has been unveiled for Eristoff Original and Eristoff Black after being launched into the on-trade by Bacardi a year ago. The new design shifts its wolf emblem to the top of the label, reflecting the Georgian vodka’s origins in the “land of the wolf”. After being introduced into the on-trade in June 2009, Eristoff Original is currently outselling Smirnoff Blue in value sales in the total on-trade and more than Russian Standard and Absolut in leased and tenanted and independent pubs, Bacardi reported. In total within the on-trade, Eristoff Original is selling 2,500 serves per day.

Four Roses tunes into music events

A series of music events are to be held across east London as part of a major new marketing initiative for Four Roses bourbon. Inspirit Brands, which handles the brand, has linked up with Clash magazine, marketing agency Amplify and digital agency McCann Erickson for the Four Roses Speakeasy programme throughout the summer. Three dates, at venues to be announced, will feature top artists selected after entering competitions online and in print.  Stuart Ekins, sales and marketing director at Inspirit added: “Already Four Roses has enjoyed huge success with their Four Roses branded jam jars launched in October. There has been a huge demand from the bar industry for the jars, which go perfect with the simple serve of Four Roses Bourbon with ginger.”

Kopparberg discovers new talent

Kopparberg Cider has created the Kopparberg Klash in partnership with Vice magazine to help discover a new wave of young photographers, stylists, film makers and bands. Entries have been submitted via www.FindKopparberg.com and finalists in each category will be showcased at four events at venues in London followed by a fifth – the final – in September. Kopparberg UK managing director Davin Nugent said: “Kopparberg Cider’s success in the UK is due to it being discovered by people and it is this fact that is at the heart of our new advertising and marketing campaign.  In creating our own event, we wanted to give something back to our consumers, to all of the trend setters that discovered Kopparberg and then went on to tell their friends.”

Pol Roger chosen for Bob Bob Ricard

London restaurant Bob Bob Ricard has made Pol Roger its new house champagne, offering Pol Roger Reserve Brut NV and Pol Roger 1999 by the glass at £11.50 and £15.50 respectively.  To celebrate the listing, a free glass of Pol Roger is available with every lunch throughout July.

Scratchcard promotion for WKD

WKD Iron Brew, the original WKD variant from Beverage Brands, has launched an on-trade promotion offering consumers in every participating outlet a chance to pocket £100. The activity, called Brew or Bust, challenges them to predict a winning sequence of playing cards in the style of TV show Play Your Cards Right. It uses scratchcards, each of which is a possible winner, with each participating outlet guaranteed a potential £100 prize. A wide selection of branded merchandise is also being offered as prizes.

Posted: July 5, 2010

News round-up: June 21-28, 2010
Chambord, design awards, Codorníu, 42Below, Halewood, WaverleyTBS, Capital Pub Company. Eager, Mixxit

New look for Chambord

A more contemporary design has been unveiled for Chambord, the French black raspberry liqueur, in its first repackaging since being launched in 1984. The new 70cl bottle (pictured top) has ¬been launched into the trade in the UK by Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands. After extensive market research, the top of the bottle has dropped its crown although regal jewels still adorn the lid. The new classic design includes a decanter-style base, a rounder bottle and a longer neck to ensure better grip and perfect pours. The glasswork is cleaner and clearer, showcasing the rich colour of black raspberry. The Chambord branding appears more clearly on both sides of the bottle and has been embossed onto the bottle so it no longer moves. The liquid inside is unchanged.

Bars win design awards

The Cut in Newcastle, Bangalore Express bars in London, Urban Reef in Boscombe and Elliot’s in Edinburgh were among winners of this year’s Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in London last week. The overall winner of best bar went to The Tote in Mumbai, designed by Serie Architects, while best restaurant was London’s Galvin La Chapelle, created by designLSM. The Cut by Julian Taylor Design Associates won best independent bar or club, Bangalore Express by Outline won best multiple bar or club, Urban Reef by Macaulay Sinclair won best restaurant, bar or club in another space and The Draft House in London won best identity and website design for work by Studio Frith. A full list of winners, including restaurants, is at www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com.

Bartender networking site launched

A new online networking and knowledge-sharing website has been created for bartenders in the premium UK on-trade. Pernod Ricard UK has launched www.drinkology.com in collaboration with leading drinks experts, dubbed “gurus”. It has been supported by Henry Besant of the Worldwide Cocktail Club and involves specialists Ian Wisniewski, Geraldine Coates, Dave Broom, Nicholas Faith, Mark Ridgwell, Tom Estes, Ago Perrone, Gary Regan, Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller. The site features social networking functionality, user-generated content, educational videos, a cocktail database, searchable vintage cocktail books, a bar menu library, job opportunities and guides to legendary bars, bartenders and cocktails.

New soft drink targets men

Halewood International is next week launching a range of soft drinks targeted at men, with specific focus on the on-trade.  The new brand, called Iron Press, has secured extensive on-trade listing interest ahead of its official launch on July 1. It has two flavours, Apple or Lemon, available in a 500ml brown glass bottle. When poured, it produces a beer-like head with less carbonation than other soft drinks. The ideal serve will be chilled in a pint glass with or without ice. It will be supported by a national heavyweight marketing campaign including consumer press and TV advertising as well as a national sampling campaign and online initiatives. The brand is being positioned as “the soft drink for real men” and the marketing draws influences from how beer used to be advertised in the 1970s and 1980s.

Start of 42Below Cocktail World Cup

The regional finals of the annual 42Below Cocktail World Cup kick off this week, with the first event taking place at Jake’s Bar in Leeds today (June 28) and Treacle in Edinburgh tomorrow. Further competitions take place until July 8 in Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol, Brighton and London with the UK final in October in London and the world final in New Zealand in March next year. Presided over by Vodka Professor Jacob Briars, this year’s competition has the theme of “The Carnival of the Cocktail”. More details at www.cocktailworldcup.com

Codorníu secures high-profile venues

The UK’s number one sparkling wine brand, Codorníu, has announced a year-long sponsorship with Proud Galleries, the bars, galleries and venues in London. Codorníu Pinot Noir and Codorníu Selección Raventós will be available at Proud Camden, Proud Central and Proud Chelsea, with both wines having also secured a permanent listing in Proud Camden.

Most closed pubs reopen as pubs

More than 60 per cent of the closed freehold pub sites sold by leading specialist agents Christie + Co since the start of the year have gone on to reopen as pubs. The report, which follows research showing an increase in the rate of pub closures, showed the remaining 40 per cent were acquired for alternative use including restaurants although mainly for other commercial or residential use.

Heineken sells WaverleyTBS

Heineken UK has sold wholesaler WaverleyTBS for an undisclosed sum to investment firm Manfield Partners which plans to develop the business. The firm’s partners include Jeremy Blood, the former managing director of Scottish & Newcastle UK, who has become chairman of WaverleyTBS. He has retained the wholesaler’s current senior management team led by managing director Jonathan Townsend.

Pubco boosts profits and acquisitions

Capital Pub Company, the London pub operator, is expanding after reporting an increase in sales and profits for the year to March 27. Turnover was up 11 per cent to £22million and adjusted pre-tax profits rose nearly a third to £2.7million. Capital also announced it was buying pub company Tomahawk for £5.03million in cash. It owns two pubs, the Black Swan in Ockham, Surrey, and the Morgan Arms in Bow, east London, which were managed by Geronimo Inns. They will now be run by Capital but staff will transfer over. Capital plans to nearly double the size of its estate to 50 sites within three years.

Trade escapes duty rise

Alcohol duty remained unchanged in last week’s emergency Budget but VAT is to be increased to 20 per cent from January 4, which is likely to add 6p to a pint. Chancellor George Osborne also said the coalition government would reverse the decision to increase cider duty by 10 per cent. Other measures included raising the threshold for National Insurance from £110 a week to £131 a week while small businesses will benefit from a cut in corporation tax to 24 per cent, reduced at a rate of one per cent each a year.

New finance chief to join M&B

Mitchells & Butlers has announced that Tim Jones has been appointed finance director after the departure of Jeremy Townsend. Jones is currently group finance director at construction group Interserve and previously held senior financial positions at logistics group Exel, British Gas and Hambros Bank.

Mixxit training surpasses targets

Maxxium UK has reported that it trained 6,000 bar staff across the UK after the last 12 months, in outlets ranging from country pubs to high-end style bars, through its Mixxit training programme. Mixxit’s global manager Wayne Collins, who works with Mixxit UK’s Andy Gemmell and Patsy Christie, said: “The trade has been very receptive to Mixxit and we have surpassed our target numbers. Training in dark spirits has been popular in line with a growing interest on the mixability of categories like cognac, golden rum and aged tequila.”

Eager Drinks adds new flavours

Eager Drinks, the premium juice range, has added two new pure juices, Orange Juice with Bits and Apple and Mango. They complement the existing portfolio which has proven a success in the on-trade since it was launched by founder Ed Rigg over three years ago. Other flavours are Apple, Orange, Cranberry, Grapefruit, Pineapple and Tomato.

Posted June 28, 2010

Industry news June 14-21, 2010:
Policing fee, Eager Drinks, Mitchells & Butlers, Fuller's, Satelliet-Browns, Diageo

Bars face new policing fee

Bars, pubs and clubs that stay open after 11pm will have to pay a “law and order” fee under proposed new legislation by the coalition government. Local authorities would be given powers to charge premises extra for late-night licences, responding to police concerns about drink-related disorder. Yesterday’s Observer newspaper also claimed that applications for late licences may have to provide proof that drinking after 11pm will offer a “tangible” benefit to the community. Read more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/20/late-night-bars-pubs-levy-policing-binge-drinkers

Upturn in licensed property enquiries

Property agency Davis Coffer Lyons has reported a 35 per cent increased in the number of people interested in buying bars and pubs. There have been “clear signs” that the market is starting to revive, according to its pubs and bars team, with both established multiple operators and new entrants showing interest in acquiring sites. London and key regional cities are proving to be the most popular. The team also reported a 25 per cent increase in disposal instructions as well as more companies wanting to make aggressive approaches to buy other businesses instead of waiting for them to come to market.

Bars unite on minimum pricing

Bars, pubs and clubs in an area of Portsmouth city centre troubled by drink-related disorder have jointly agreed a minimum price for alcoholic drinks. The News in Portsmouth reports that premises in Guildhall Walk - all members of the city’s Pubwatch - have decided to charge at least £1.50 for alcoholic drinks. It follows criticism by Hampshire Constabulary Chief Constable Alex Marshall of “totally irresponsible” drinks promotions at some venues in the area. Read more…
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Bars-in-violence-hotspot-agree.6342691.jp

ASA aims to settle sambuca dispute

A dispute over which is the best-selling sambuca in the on-trade has been tackled by marketing watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Cellar Trends, which handles Luxardo, objected to Hi-Spirits claiming in an advert that Antica was the “the best-selling on-trade sambuca by far”. However, the ASA rejected the complaint after considering independent sales figures from research specialist CGA. It ruled: “Because Hi-Spirits had shown that the volume sales of Antica Sambuca from pubs, bars and nightclubs were higher than any other sambuca in the 12 months prior to the publication of the ad, the claim ‘best selling on-trade sambuca’ had been substantiated.”

ALMR warns on drink-drive plan

Government proposals to cut the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood are unnecessary and will harm the licensed trade, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has warned. Chief executive Nick Bish said the current level was already low enough and that the emphasis should be on reinforcing the policing of the regulations and driving the message to the public that drinking and driving were unacceptable. He added that a cut would lead to more people drinking at home rather than in the supervised environment of a bar or pub. “Pubs are the best and safest places to drink,” he explained.

Diageo backs Purple Flag initiative

Drinks group Diageo GB is backing the Purple Flag scheme for town and city centres that have achieved a high standard of night-time hospitality and entertainment. Similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches, it is a “gold standard” for places that offer a positive experience to people between 5pm and 6am. It is run by the Association of Town Centre Management which has awarded Purple Flags to Liverpool, Nottingham and Clerkenwell, London. Diageo is supporting it with a £100,000 package over the next three years. Read more…
http://www.atcm.org/purple-flag/index.php

Profits grow for Fuller’s

London-based pub operator and brewer Fuller’s has reported a 17 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £26.6million for the year to March 27. Total revenue was up eight per cent to £227.7million. The company said the improved performance was partly due to its acquisition of eight managed pubs and one tenanted pub during the year for a total of £30.2million.

New award for front of house

Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s collection of retreats that includes the Roof Gardens in Kensington, has been announced as title sponsor of a new industry award. The Virgin Rising Star Award will form part of the Academy of Food & Wine’s Annual Awards for Excellence, which recognises outstanding talent in hospitality in the UK. Entrants must be under 30 and hold a position front of house and can be nominated by companies or individuals. A shortlist of five will be invited to the awards ceremony in September. Entries must be made by July 30, including the nominee’s name, date of birth, job title, brief CV, key achievements and up to 800 words on why they should win, emailed to helen@acfws.org.

Bar creates Garden of Eager

The Brickhouse in Brick Lane, east London, has created a new Eden-like outdoor terrace, working in partnership with Eager Drinks, supplier of premium fruit juices. Operating throughout the summer, the so-called Garden of Eager features grass growing on walls, toy snakes and parrots, and trees laden with over-sized cartoon-like fruit. Cocktails include the Apple Bite with Eager’s cloudy pressed apple juice, cinnamon and vodka.

Beer training for M&B bar staff

Mitchells & Butlers has begun a training programme that will provide 600 of its retail staff with the skills and knowledge they need to serve a perfect pint. It is being delivered by tutors from training specialist The Beer Academy, which has created tools so that participants can “cascade” the training to other bar staff.

New package for dispense gas training

The UK’s first online drinks dispense gas training package has been launched by CryoService, a leading supplier of dispense gas solutions to the on-trade. Called “Using Cellar Gases Safely”, it is a training and certification package covering all aspects of safe use of drinks dispense gas, including use of cylinders and CryoService’s Accellarate gas system.

Dukes adds cognac and cigar garden

A new cognac and cigar garden has been unveiled as part of a newly refurbished outdoor area at London hotel Dukes. The St James’s hotel, which is home to the legendary Dukes Bar, is serving a range of cognacs and armagnacs in the garden, including the house cognac Martell Cordon Bleu, plus Cuban cigars supplied by Hunters & Frankau. Dukes Bar, headed by Alessandro Palazzi, has also added the cognac-based Ruby Windsor Cocktail to its menu for serving in the garden, which is open every day from 8pm to midnight.

Relaunch date announced for Savoy

The Savoy Hotel, including the new art-deco Beaufort Bar, is set to reopen on October 10 after being closed for nearly three years, it has been announced The 268-bedroom hotel was originally expected to close for 16 months for a £100million refurbishment but the cost and extent of the project have grown partly because of the challenge of working on a 19th-century building. The scheme, led by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and Reardon Smith Architects, will see the River Restaurant remodelled and the creation of the new Beaufort Bar specialising in cocktails and champagne.

Satelliet-Browns names design winner

Andre Calado, a Portuguese student studying in London, took top prize in the Satelliet-Browns Design Challenge, announced at last week’s Bar Show in London. He came up with designs for Le Satelliet, a concept for a chain of commercial bars including a bistro-style Paris bar, an avant-garde Berlin bar and the urban chic of a top-floor bar in London’s Canary Wharf. The runners-up were Aleksandra Rajska and Sara Foster, both from the University of Glamorgan. The annual competition is run by leading furniture company Satelliet-Browns.

Wine brand samples at summer events

Hardys, the UK’s leading Australian wine brand, has begun a national sampling campaign, which started with the Taste of London restaurant festival last week. Showcasing its Nottage Hill brand, it will give consumers the opportunity to sample newly launched FreshCase. Sampling will also take place at other events including BBC Good Food Shows in Scotland and Birmingham and MasterChef Live this autumn.

Only days left for Elgar note

The £20 banknote bearing the portrait of composer Sir Edward Elgar has only nine days left in everyday use. The note will be withdrawn from circulation on June 30 when it will no longer have “legal tender” status. For several months from the end of June, most banks, building societies and post offices should accept Elgar £20 notes for deposit to customer accounts and for other customer transactions although the choice to exchange the notes rests with each institution. It has been replaced by the Adam Smith £20, first introduced in 2007.

Bar design winners to be announced

The annual Restaurant & Bar Design Awards are being held on Tuesday (June 22), rewarding restaurants and bar operators as well as the venues’ designers for design excellence. The event takes place in Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square, London, bringing together some of the UK’s and the world’s top designers as well as leading operators and suppliers. Cocktails will be served by bartenders from Drake & Morgan, which operates London bar-restaurants The Refinery, The Parlour and The Anthologist, while beers will come from Welsh brewer Tomos Watkin. Shortlisted bars include Circus, Liquidnation, Profile, The Parlour, Bangalore Express, Green’s and Hunter 486 in London as well as Lucky 7 in Glasgow, the Cut in Newcastle, Bar Missoni in Edinburgh, Urban Reef in Boscombe, Baa Bar in Liverpool, Popolo in Sheffield, Big Chill Bar in Bristol and the Westgate in Bath. More details and information about tickets at www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com.

Suppliers gather for Caffe Culture

Hot drinks and soft drinks as well as furniture and other outdoor solutions will be featured at annual trade show Caffe Culture this week. The event takes place at Olympia, London from June 23 to 25, in partnership with the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE). It features competitions such as the World Coffee Championships and four SCAE world championships. Visit www.caffeculture.com for details of exhibitors and registration.

June 21, 2010

News round-up June 7-14, 2010:
London Club & Bar Awards, Codorniu, Appleton Estate, Galvin Cup, Finlandia, Caledonian Bartenders Cup

Winners in club and bar awards

The winners of this year’s London Club & Bar Awards were announced at a ceremony in London last week. Winners included best new boutique club Luxx, best boutique club Whisky Mist, best new bar Aquum (pictured), best bar McQueen, best restaurant club Supper Club, best hotel bar Polo Bar at Westbury, best club Jalouse, best new club Chinawhite, best members’ club Beaufort House, best after-hours club Jet Black and best interior design Wellington Club.  Best bartender was Chris Amey of Soho Hotel and best mixologist was Chris Ozzati of JuJu.  Nick House, of Mahiki and Whisky Mist, was recognised for outstanding achievement to London nightlife and Mark Fuller, of Embassy and Sanctum Soho, was awarded for services to the industry.

Dip in sales across industry

Like-for-like sales fell by an average of 1.2 per cent in May, according to the Coffer Peach business tracker of 15 of the UK’s leading bar, pub and restaurant operators. This followed an increase in like-for-like sales in April. Total sales across the groups, including newly opened outlets, increased by 0.3 per cent year on year. Click here for full report.
http://www.peach-factory.com/Latest/508749/likeforlikes_slip_12_in_may_after_april_gain.html

New training programme for sparkling wine

A sparkling wine category training programme, designed exclusively for the on-trade, has been launched by sparkling wine brand Codorníu in response to an industry-wide need highlighted by bar managers. The Fizzness School is provided by leading bar consultancy Soulshakers, which can provide free private sessions at venues. Details from info@codorniu.com.

Victory in The Caledonian Bartenders Cup

Scott Ingram of the Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow has won The Caledonian Bartenders Cup. Held at the LA Group bar academy in Glasgow, the competition set several challenges including blind tastings and innovation in mixology.  The runners-up were Yan McPherson from the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh and Dean Evans, also from Blythswood Square. The Cup is organised by bar consultancy LA Group with Scottish gin Caorunn and single malt whisky anCnoc.

Profits increase for Fuller’s

Brewer and pub operator Fuller’s reported a 17 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £26.6million for the year to March 27. Total revenue was up eight per cent to £227.7million, boosted by the acquisition of eight managed pubs and one tenanted for a total of £30.2million. Like-for-like sales at its managed pubs, bars and hotels were up 2.7 per cent and its own beer volumes increased two per cent. Tenanted pubs reported a one per cent fall in like-for-like sales.

Appleton Estate winner heads for Jamaica

After five regional heats, Josh Ivanovic from London’s Milk & Honey beat 10 other finalists to win the UK Appleton Estate Bartenders Challenge at London’s Floridita. He will now represent the UK at the global final in Jamaica. The runners-up were Stuart Hudson and Nick Reed.

Winners announced in Galvin Cup

Bruno Do Nascimento from London’s Dorchester hotel beat 35 other contestants to win the 2010 Galvin Cup bartenders’ competition. The event, sponsored by Glenmorangie, took place at Westminster Kingsway College last week, with separate catergories for students and professionals. The student competition was won by Roccio Torres from Mexico. Now in its fourth year, the Galvin Cup was created by Chris Galvin, chef patron of Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton, and the bar and restaurant’s general manager Fred Sirieux.

Orchid steps up acquisition plans

The Orchid Group is stepping up its acquisition programme after strong sales in the first three months of this year across its 292 pubs. Parkmill Pub Management, the group’s specialist acquisition division set up at the start of 2010, plans to add another 50 pubs to the estate this year, and a further 100 during 2011. Parkmill managing director Magnus Wilson said he had small groups as well as individual sites on his shopping list. Orchid last year bought Premium Bars & Restaurants, including The Living Room.

Finlandia seeks the Midnight Sun

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands (BBFB) is driving sales of Finlandia with new cocktail recipes, point-of-sale material and a trade incentive as part of the brand’s new Midnight Sun campaign. It is drawing on the vodka’s Finnish heritage, picking up on the 73 days of continual sunlight in the north of the country. The brand is running an incentive scheme in the on-trade offering bars with the best sales a trip to Finland for a Midnight Sun party later this month. Bar consultancy Soulshakers has also created new Midnight Sun cocktail recipes.

Profits soar for spirits company

Ian Macleod Distillers, whose brands range from London Hill Gin to Glengoyne and Smokehead whiskies, has reported a rise in annual profits, after tax, of 90 per cent to £2.2million. For the year to September 30, 2009, it increased group turnover by 19 per cent to £26million because of increased sales to export markets, in particular sales of three-year-old blends in the Middle and Far East, and improved performance of premium brands in Europe.

Bars expected to avoid wi-fi law

Bars offering customers free wi-fi look set to avoid being affected new regulations aimed at reducing online copyright infringement. Regulator Ofcom has begun consultation on a draft code of practice produced after the Digital Economy Bill was rushed through Parliament before the election. It was feared that it would unfairly put bar and pub operators at risk if their customers were found to be infringing copyright while using their free wi-fi, but the draft code proposes that only fixed-line internet service providers with more than 400,000 subscribers would be covered by the act.

Crabbie’s scores in new ad campaign

Drinks group Halewood International has launched of a World Cup advertising campaign with Talk Sport Radio as part of the latest high-profile marketing programme for Crabbie’s Alcoholic Beer. Aiming to reach 3.3 million adults, the ads follow the Crabbie’s signature retro 50s theme with cheeky “Carry On” style humour. After nine months of significant above-the-line advertising and sponsorships such as the British Comedy Awards and the National Television Awards, Crabbie’s has “dramatically” increased its distribution both in the on- and off-trade.

Bar Show opens tomorrow

This year’s Bar Show takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, north London, on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 15 and 16). Exhibitors include drinks brands as well as designers and suppliers of equipment, furniture and other products and services to the bar trade. The Bar.10 show also hosts the London Cocktail Summit which presents serious drinks education from renowned national and international experts. For tickets, visit www.barshow.co.uk.

Posted: June 14, 2010

News round-up June 1-7, 2010:
PPL, Jongleurs, London Club & Bar Awards, Cougar Leisure, Licor 43, Saffron Gin, Cellar Trends, CWF

Bar operators prepare to tap into refunds

Licensees are due to start receiving letters from Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) this week telling them how to claim refunds of fees paid for the playing of music. Bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants are due refunds totalling up to £20million after a High Court ruling which substantially cut PPL’s charges. The British Beer and Pub Association, which was one of the trade bodies that fought for the legal victory, has issued advice on its website to help licensees to claim the refunds. Click here for the guidance note:
http://www.beerandpub.com/industryArticle.aspx?articleId=220
 

Shortlist revealed for London Club and Bar Awards

Nominations were announced last week for the annual London Club and Bar Awards which are due to be held later today (June 7). The bar and restaurant categories feature Mahiki, Mayfair Bar, Sanctum Bar, Sanderson Long Bar, JuJu, Marvel, Soho Hotel Refuel Bar, Aquum, Aqua, Polo Bar at Westbury, Nozomi, Harvey Nichols, Supper Club, Mamounia, JuJu and Gilgamesh. The main club categories feature Movida, Chinawhite, Jet Black, Maddox, Jalouse, Runway, Wellington, Roof Gardens, Mehra, Aura, Molton House, Beaufort House, Tuatara, Moreton’s and Embassy. Finalists for best boutique club are Cuckoo Club, Luxx, Boujis, Bungalow 8, Punk, Raffles, Cirque du Soir, Monroe @ No.5, Valmont and Kitts. For best interior design, finalists are Wellington, Supper Club, Amika, Luxx and Runway. Other categories include best bartender, best DJ, sexiest host, services to the industry and outstanding achievement.

Joint ventures expand Jongleurs

Comedy club brand Jongleurs has announced that it is investing a further £2million this year, with plans to launch nine new clubs nationwide in partnership with other operators. A franchise agreement with Momo Leisure will see new clubs open in Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle after the launch of the company’s first in Nottingham in April. Further expansion plans are under way with bar and club operator Novus Leisure, which opened a new Jongleurs in a joint venture at its venue Sway in Covent Garden last month. This will be followed by new clubs at Novus Leisure sites in Portsmouth, Croydon, Glasgow and Leeds. By the end of 2010 there will be 11 Jongleurs clubs around the UK, with plans to continue roll-out in 2011.

Cougar Leisure markets 11 sites

Bar operator Cougar Leisure has put 11 of its properties on the market for a total asking prices of more than £5.7million. The package of freehold and leasehold properties is being handled by Christie & Co. It includes Brannigans bars in Blackpool, Manchester and Romford and Mood venues in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newcastle. Non-branded sites include the Berkeley in Wigan, the Boardwalk in Sheffield, the Townhouse in Whitley Bay, and the Spirit and the View, both in Manchester. The sites are available individually or as a group. Cougar Leisure was created out of former sites operated by Herald Inns & Bars which went into administration in 2008

Winner of Saffron Gin competition

This year’s Saffron & Sides cocktail and food competition has been won by Tim Homewood, head bartender at restaurant Babylon at the Roof Gardens in Kensington, London, and Babylon’s pastry chef Deepti Shevalkar. The competition was organised by Emporia Brands, UK distributor for Saffron Gin, at Mint Leaf Lounge & Restaurant in central London. Competitors had to produce a winning cocktail using Saffron Gin with no more than five other ingredients and to accompany it with a side dish (sweet or savoury) to complement the complex and subtle botanicals of the gin. Tim wins a visit to the distillery of Gabriel Boudier in Dijon where Saffron Gin is made.

Top UK nightclub in adminstration

Iconic London nightclub Fabric is on the market after its owners went into administration. Edward Symmons LLP has been instructed to find a purchaser by administrators David Chubb and Colin Haig of PricewaterhouseCoopers. The leasehold club, which is due to continue trading until June 15, has a 24-hour premises licence and a licensed capacity of 1,510. The company was hit by debts after the closure of its sister club Matter in the O2 centre in London’s Docklands. Colin White, partner in the hospitality and leisure division of Edward Symmons LLP, said last week that the agency had already received enquiries, adding: “We anticipate continued interest in this sale, particularly from other major club operators in London and the south-east, and we are confident that a purchase will be secured for the business as a going concern.”

Licor 43 launches contest

A competition has been launched by J Wray & Nephew UK for Licor 43, the premium Spanish liqueur brand, to find a UK brand ambassador. Bartenders from across the UK will take part in regional heats in Leicester, Leeds, Brighton, London and Edinburgh between June 21 and July 19. They will have to make two Licor 43-based seasonal cocktails, plus an original take on the Vanilla Daiquiri. The regional winners will visit Barcelona, Valencia and Ibiza Town to experience the brand’s heritage and versatility first-hand before the final in London in September. The winner will represent the brand in the UK in 2010/2011, receiving £4,000 to conduct 12 days of in-bar education, training and judging, attend a photo-shoot for the brand, and regularly contribute to the liqueur’s blog.

Record results for Innis & Gunn

Specialty beer company Innis & Gunn has reported its best first-quarter trading in its seven-year history, driven by strong growth in the UK on-trade as well as a 55 per cent rise in sales in Sweden. In the first three months of 2010, turnover increased 21 per cent to £908,000 compared to the same period last year.  Sales in the UK on-trade rose by more than 400 per cent year on year, albeit from a low base. It contrasts with the latest figures from the British Beer and Pub Association which recorded a nine per cent decline in on-trade beers sales in the first quarter.

New Italian lager from CWF

Importer and distributor CWF has introduced an Italian lager, Castello di Udine Birra Castello, to the UK market. Brewed in Fruili in northern Italy, Castello is deep in colour with a rich, nutty and barley aroma and a balanced refreshing taste of hops and malts, at an ABV of 4.8 per cent. CWF notes that “world beers” are bucking the overall downward trend in sales with a three per cent year-on-year increase in value to £757million to the end of February this year.

Sales teams restructure at Cellar Trends

UK distributor Cellar Trends has restructured its brand management and sales teams across its wine and spirits portfolio as part of a strategic drive to build on 10 years of uninterrupted growth in turnover. The sales team has been expanded and re-organised so that the field sales team has more sales people. New executives have been appointed to handle the on-trade group business. The team running brand experience activity and the ambassador teams now cover more cities, boosted by new appointments. The company’s portfolio includes Skyy, Sagatiba, Wild Turkey, Patrón, Luxardo and Jägermeister.

Finalists line up to be London Ale Taster

A short-list of candidates is set to compete for the ancient position of London Ale Taster at an event at Old Spitalfields Market on Wednesday (June 9). It will be part of a free event open to the public, taking place at 1pm. Finalists will have to correctly identify unmarked samples of different ales and match them to a list, including a round dedicated to porter, and make presentations to the judging panel of beer specialists. Coinciding with a special “beer market” from 9am to 3pm, it is planned that the selection of London Ale Taster will become an annual event.

New qualifications for door supervisors

New licence-linked qualifications for door supervisors are being introduced by training providers across the UK after a change in requirements from June 1. The qualifications, specified by the Security Industry Association (SIA), bring the training up to date and introduce a modular structure. They include practical assessment of physical intervention skills so that a door supervisor is aware of non-pain techniques that can be used in escorting or disengaging from customers. Awareness of terrorist threats, awareness of first aid, and specific considerations when dealing with 14- to 18-year-olds are also included.

Posted: June 7, 2010

News round-up May 24-June 1, 2010:
Be At One, Luminar, soft drinks, Ardbeg, whisky, Pernod Ricard, M&B

Be At One steps up expansion

Be At One, the London cocktail bar group, is accelerating expansion after taking on its 10th site, The Legion in Shoreditch, east London. After opening it as Be At One this summer, the company will continue to focus on London for now and plans another two openings this year and five next year.  The company has also reported sales up by about a third to £6.75million for the year to the end of March while like-for-like sales at units open for more than a year were up 13 per cent. According to a report in The Times yesterday (May 31), directors Rhys Oldfield, Steve Locke and Leigh Miller are funding the purchase and refit of the 10th site with bank debt. It is the end of an era for The Legion in Old Street which has been a cool but unpretentious stalwart of the Shoreditch scene for many years.

World Cup spirits support

Pernod Ricard UK is offering licensees an opportunity to maximise profit from spirits during the World Cup with a free bespoke menu-printing service. The initiative, called Share the Spirit of Football, provides a choice of eight premium menu designs tailored with a drinks offering to meet their needs, from cocktails to simple spirits and mixers. To cover all the spirits categories, the menus may also feature brands outside of Pernod Ricard UK’s portfolio. “While beer is clearly popular during the World Cup, there are also opportunities for spirits,” said Dan Reuby, customer development director at Pernod Ricard UK. “Cocktails and long mixed drinks meet consumer demand for additional choice, whilst also driving healthy profit margins.”

New chairman for Luminar

Nightclub operator Luminar has announced that chairman Alan Jackson, who joined three-and-a-half years ago after heading Whitbread’s restaurant division, will leave in July. He will be replaced by current non-executive director John Leach, formerly chief executive of Hermes Focus Asset Management. Chief executive Simon Douglas, who was appointed in March, has announced plans to target older customers, offer more live music and expand Luminar’s range of drinks.

Soft drinks market grows

The UK soft drinks market grew overall by 1.7 per cent in 2009 after slight falls over the previous two years, according to the British Soft Drinks Association’s new 2010 UK Soft Drinks Report.  Total soft drinks consumption was 14.14billion litres, or 229.1 litres per person, with a retail value of £13.2billion.  Bottled water consumption rose by 1.7 per cent to 2.09billion litres, or 33.9 litres per person.  Carbonates built on their growth in 2008 with further growth in 2009 of 2.2 per cent, to 6.065billion litres, or 98.3 litres per person.  Fruit juices and smoothies saw a volume decline of 3.1 per cent, while still and juice drinks rose by 0.7 per cent.  Sports and energy drinks continued to grow in popularity, with consumption up five per cent.

Decline slows for Magners

A decline in cider volumes has slowed for Magners, which has recorded a 14 per cent drop in on-trade volumes in contrast to a 29 per cent fall the year before. In its results for the year to February 28, owner C&C Group said the brand continued to outperform in the on-trade, boosted by the launch of Magners Pear and growth in draught volumes. Since the year end, a new marketing and advertising campaign has been launched for Magners in Great Britain while Magners Golden Draught has been introduced to the Scottish market. Overall cider volumes in Great Britain for the year, excluding the Gaymers business acquired in November, fell by 4.9 per cent compared to a 17 per cent drop the year before. Revenues in Great Britain declined 9.1 per cent to €149million while operating profit increased 48 per cent to €19.7million.

Whisky boost to Scottish economy

Scotch whisky is worth £4billion a year in added value to the Scottish economy, according to new figures. The industry spends more than £1.1billion annually on supplies produced north of the Border and its annual turnover in Scotland is £6.4billion. After oil and gas, the sector remains the country’s leading manufactured export, with shipments of £3.1billion a year. The figures were produced in a new study, The Economic Impact of Scotch Whisky Production in Scotland, by Verso Economics.

Special edition of Ardbeg whisky

Ardbeg, the malt whisky distillery on the island of Islay, has launched the second edition of its award-winning single malt Supernova, described by the company as “the peatiest Ardbeg ever”. A preview bottling of the first edition sold out last year in a record 112 minutes when it was offered for sale online.  The second edition – Ardbeg SN2010 – offers the same phenomenal levels of peatiness as the 2009 release but with a higher strength at 60.1 per cent ABV and a deeper, earthier character.

Exhibition to promote Basque wines

An all-day exhibition, called Seek the Sensational, is being organised for the trade to showcase the wines of the Basque region.  It offers visitors an unrivalled opportunity to meet some of the region’s finest winemakers and taste the latest wines from the areas of Rioja Alavesa and Txakoli. The event takes place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in north-west London on July 7. To register in advance and get more details, visit www.basquewines.co.uk.

Britons cut down on alcohol

A third of British adults said they had cut down on drinking in the last year while 44 per cent agreed the alcohol was bad for your health, according to a survey by YouGov SixthSense. Ten per cent of the 2,387 over-16s surveyed said they gave up alcohol last year. However, 95 per cent said they believed that a drink from time to time did not hurt and 43 per cent said they still drank as much as they always have. The survey also found that the “take home” market share increased by more than three per cent over the past 10 years at the expense of the on-trade. It added that 47 per cent of alcohol drinkers said that most of their drinks budget was spent on drinking at home in contrast to 27 per cent who spent most of their drinking budget when going out.

Board roles for former M&B chief

Tim Clarke, the former chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers, was last week appointed to the boards of two regional brewers and pub companies. He will be a non-executive director of Yorkshire’s Timothy Taylor as well as Dorset’s Hall & Woodhouse.

Posted: June 1, 2010

News round-up May 17-24, 2010:
Government legislation, Maker's Mark, Britvic, Carling, Sauza, Marston's, SAB Miller, M&B

Coalition pledge on licensed trade

The new coalition government has affirmed its commitment to banning the sale of alcohol in the off-trade at less than cost and pledged to review the Licensing Act. In a new policy document last week, it said it would keep its pre-election promise to curb the amount of cheap alcohol available in stores. It also said it would review taxation affecting beer and the licensed trade to "ensure it tackles binge drinking without unfairly penalising responsible drinkers, pubs and important local industries". Its "overhaul" of the Licensing Act is set to give local authorities and the police "much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems" and allow them "to shut down permanently any shop or bar found to be persistently selling alcohol to children". Other proposals that could hit the bar trade include giving councils the right to charge more for late-night licences to pay for additional policing. The government also promised to "cut red tape" to encourage bars, pubs and clubs to put on more live music.
 

Intense push on Maker's Mark

An intense two-week campaign begins today (May 24) in the City and east London to promote bourbon Maker's Mark as part of a £1.5million investment in the brand this year. Outdoor advertising and sampling will be ubiquitous in Shoreditch and dominate the transport hub of Liverpool Street Underground station. Sampling will also take place at some of the area's bars from now until July while sampling at art galleries will also drive consumers to top venues including All Star Lanes, Loungelover and Cargo where they can buy a discounted Maker's Mark cocktail.  A pop-up installation in the form of a large vending machine, dubbed Maker's + the Machine, will house a professional bartender sitting inside, creating and serving Maker's Mark cocktails. The campaign by Maxxium UK aims to reach £1million people and may be rolled out to other locations across the UK.

Profits rise for Britvic

Britvic has announced an increase in profits and the acquisition of French soft drinks company Fruite. For the 28 weeks to April 11, revenues increased by 4.6 per cent to £505.3million and pre-tax profits rose by 39 per cent to £27.8million. The group reported that it had taken market share across its key brands and that trading in the second half of the year so far was "robust". Last week, it also raised up to £21.7million through a share placing to help fund the €237million purchase of Fruite.

Carling drives people to bars

Molson Coors UK is sending two million vouchers to households this month in a bid to drive one million people back to their local bar, pub or club. Direct mail is offering a free pint of Carling at a nearby venue through a personalised invite from the licensee. Point-of-sale packs have been sent out to all outlets participating in the promotion, which runs until June 21. It is part of a series of Molson Coors UK activities throughout the summer that will help the licensed trade to attract more customers through the door and stay longer. These include Be Part of It 2010 and the Pint Right Programme, which kicked off in March 2010 and includes in-bar hands-on "Cellar-to-Glass" training to help all staff master the perfect serve and an on-going support plan to ensure bars serve great beer all the time.

Sauza shakes it up in bars

Maxxium UK is to launch a new promotion next month to boost the presence of Sauza tequila in bars and pubs across the UK. Running under the banner of "The Summer of the Sauza Shaker", it invites customers to "shake their own" Margaritas in venues using an oversized 750ml cocktail shaker. Each Shaker has a recommended price of £12, delivering around £7 profit to the bar per shaker sold. The shakers will be delivered as part of a kit to participating bars who will also receive point-of-sale material including two strut cards and 10 Sauza Shaker tent cards. Bars will receive the kits when they buy one case of Sauza Blanco or Hacienda Reposado. Bartenders will put Sauza, ice, Bols triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice and sugar syrup into the shaker and hand it over to the customer to shake and serve at the table themselves. They can also be used with Funkin Margarita pouches to make the serve easier.

Sales up at Marston's bars

Marston's has reported that revenue and profits were up, particularly at its managed pubs and bars, for the half year to April 3. Overall, revenues were up 0.6 per cent at £309.2million and underlying operating profit edged up from £65.4million to £65.5million. Like-for-like sales in the Inns and Taverns managed estate, which includes Pitcher & Piano, were up 1.4 per cent despite Easter Sunday and Monday falling into the second half of the financial year in contrast to 2009. Its beer company had a "strong" first half while the rate of decline in its tenanted estate has slowed.

Beer giant increases revenues

Brewer SAB Miller, whose brands include Grolsch, Pilsner Urquell and Peroni, has reported a four per cent rise in revenues for the year to March 31. They were four per cent higher at US$26.4billion, with improved margins "driven by robust pricing and cost efficiencies". The group said that trading conditions during the year had been "very difficult" but it had performed well, believing it is "well positioned to take advantage of any improvement in trading conditions".

Beer sales in UK fall further

The new government is being urged not to increase duty in its first Budget next month after new figures revealed a further fall in beer sales in the UK. According to the latest quarterly beer barometer from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), on-trade beer sales fell by 8.8 per cent in January, February and March - 6.9 million fewer pints. It was partly caused by snow and freezing conditions at the start of the year.  However, supermarket and off-licence beer sales rose by 0.5 per cent during the same period. The BBPA called on the government not to increase pressure on the trade in its Budget on June 22.

M&B reports expansion and profits increase

Mitchells & Butlers, which operates managed pubs and bars such as All Bar One and O'Neill's, plans to increase investment in expansion of its estate by between £20million and £25million by the end of this year after reporting an increase in half-year profits. The money will be focused on growing its food-led key retail brands such as Harvester and Toby, bringing total capital expenditure for the full year to around £160million. M&B reported that turnover was up 1.3 per cent for the half year to April 10 to £1,037million while pre-tax profits were up by 55.3 per cent to £73million. Like-for-like sales were up 1.9 per cent in the most recent nine-week period with a continued lower level of promotional spend.

Posted: May 24, 2010

News round-up May 10-17, 2010:
Luminar, Distil, molecular mixology, Inspirit Brands, Hayman's, Kopparberg

Luminar reports on profits slump

Luminar Group, the nightclub operator whose brands include Oceana and Liquid, has blamed youth unemployment, poor weather and a “highly competitive environment” for a fall in profits. After warning earlier this year that trading was down, it announced that pre-tax profits were down from £20.3million to £4.4million for the year to February 25. Sales were down by 9.9 per cent on a same outlet basis across its 85 clubs, including a 15.4 per cent decline in the second half of the year resulting from lower customer admissions. The company also announced last week that finance director Robert McDonald has quit as finance director and will be leaving at the end of next month to “pursue other interests”. He joined just over a year ago from Punch Taverns. He will be replaced by Philip Bowcock, previously group financial controller of Barratt Developments, who joins on June 1.

Drinks lined up for Distil

The Distil drinks exhibition and the London International Wine Fair open on Tuesday, running for three days until Thursday (May 20). Distil features tastings from Mark Ridgwell’s Taste and Flavour, IPBartenders’ cocktail theatre, tequila tastings and the Drinks International Cocktail Challenge. Brands and companies exhibiting include Aberdour, Belvedere, Bibendum, Ceylon Arrack, Chopin, El Dorado, Glencadam, Four Roses, Hayman’s, Gin Mare, Goldschläger, Myers’s, Ocho, Sacred, Sobieski, Sputnik, St Germain, Thunder Toffee, Ypióca and Zignum mezcal. Mexican trade body ProMexico is bringing together a number of tequila producers. More information and registration at www.distil-london.com.

Ex-Greene King boss heads pubco

David Elliott, the former managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, has taken over as chairman of the pubs arm of Cardiff-based property management company Quercus Capital. He plans to help Quercus Pub Company to take on more than 200 leased or tenanted pubs over the next 12 to 18 months in south Wales and the south of England. He left Greene King in January after 11 years at the group, during which time he grew the leased and tenanted business from 620 to more than 1,300 pubs.

Molecular mixology competition

Bartenders are being challenged to be creative and use their imagination as part of a new “molecular” cocktail competition organised by El Dorado rum and supplier MolecularMixology co.uk. To enter, they have to come up with an original “concept” that covers their “vision” for the drink and a simplified method of how to create it. This does not have to include a full recipe. It must include El Dorado and use one of the ingredients from a molecular mixology kit supplied to entrants by MolecularMixology.co.uk, the supplier set up by Matt Wilkinson and Andrew Mullins of Fling International. The kit contains agar, sodium alginate, calcium lactate, methyl cellulose and xanthan gum. The deadline for entering the London heat is May 31 and it will take place at Wax Jambu in Islington, north London on June 15. The 10 most creative concepts will go through to the next round where they will be asked to create two molecular cocktails.  Additional heats will be held in the north in August and Scotland in October. To enter, email competition@molecularmixology.co.uk.

Enterprise refinances for future growth

Pub company Enterprise Inns has announced that it has successfully refinanced its bank debt, signing a new facility for £625million. It follows a slump in profits for the six months to March 31 during what chief executive Ted Tuppen called “very challenging trading conditions across the pub sector”. Earnings (EBITDA) fell nearly 10 per cent to £204million while the company reported it raised £135million from disposals during the period. Tuppen added: “We expect trading conditions to remain challenging during the second half of the year and we sincerely hope that the new Government will take steps to recognise and support community pubs and their vital role in British society.”

Sloe gin and bitters added

Love Drinks, the distributor of premium drinks, has added to the ranges of two of its brands. Hayman’s Sloe Gin is made with wild English sloe berries that have been steeped for several months with Hayman’s Gin before being blended with natural sugar to create a rich ruby-red liqueur with smooth and intense bitter-sweet fruit flavours. Love Drinks is promoting it for cocktails such as the Blackthorn, Sloe Royale and Sloe Fizz. It has also added Creole Bitters, a fiery anise-tinged cherry-red liquid, to its bitters range The Bitter Truth.

Inspirit grows portfolio

Premium drinks specialist Inspirit Brands is to add Goldschläger, Sobieski, Myers’s Rum and Ypióca to its portfolio after being acquired by drinks company Global Brands. The brands will transfer from Global’s core business which will then focus on products such as VK, Corky’s and Kick Energy and its new wine portfolio. Inspirit, which already handles 14 brands including El Dorado, Four Roses, Opal Nera, Ocho, St Germain and No 3 gin, continues as Global’s premium brands arm.

Pomegranate juice extends range

Pomegreat, the pomegranate juice brand, has added more flavours to its range with the introduction of beetroot and cherry. It complements the original pomegranate, blueberry and raspberry versions.

New campaign for Kopparberg

Kopparberg Cider has launched a new integrated advertising and marketing campaign that links the brand into music and media arts. As well as press, outdoor, cinema and online ads, it covers social media platforms, exclusive music via Spotify and “real world” events including Kopparberg Klash – a series of five competitive events celebrating alternative music, photography, style and film. A new website, www.findkopparberg.com, offers content and information to support the activity.

Posted: May 17, 2010

News round-up May 4-10, 2010:
Punch, AB InBev, Molson Coors, Wetherspoon, Diageo

New CEO appointed to Punch

Punch Taverns has appointed Ian Dyson, finance director at Marks & Spencer, as its new chief executive to replace Giles Thorley. He was previously finance director of Rank Group and, before that, held finance roles at Meridien Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Group. Thorley announced last month that he was resigning after nine years at the helm the UK’s biggest pub company, which owns over 7,100 pubs across its leased and managed estates.

Limited release from Woodford Reserve

The latest in a range of limited-release Master’s Collection bottlings from Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris has reached the UK. It is called Seasoned Oak, named after the weathering of the oak staves used to make the casks that this whiskey is matured in. The staves were left outdoors to season for five years – more than Woodford Reserve’s standard nine-month seasoning. The batch of just 316 remaining bottles are being sold this month at selected retailers including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

AB InBev reports beer volume rise

Beer volumes for Anheuser-Busch InBev UK, the company behind Budweiser, Beck’s and Stella Artois, improved by 1.3 per cent in the past three months, outperforming the market where volumes declined 3.5 per cent. Stuart MacFarlane, president of AB InBev UK, called it “a great result, even more so in this challenging environment”, adding that this had been “exacerbated by record beer duty increases”. Overall volume growth for the business globally increased by nearly one per cent in the quarter and revenue was up nearly two per cent to US$8.3billion (£5.5billion).

Cautious outlook from JD Wetherspoon

JD Wetherspoon has admitted it has become “slightly more cautious about the outlook” for the business for the coming year because of tax and duty increases, higher interest charges and the risk of more subdued consumer expenditure. In a trading statement last week, it reported that like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to April 25 were down 0.8 per cent although total company sales over the same period increased by 3.6 per cent. These figures have contributed to a 0.2 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for the 39 weeks to April 25, during which time company sales rose by four per cent.

Molson Coors links with Gallo

Molson Coors UK has formed a partnership with E&J Gallo Winery to expand its range of drinks brands available through its One Stop Shop Service. It will now list three brands from E&J Gallo’s core UK range – Gallo Family Vineyards, Barefoot and Turning Leaf –  as well as Winemaker’s Seal from the global range and Mirassou and Rancho Zabaco from the premium portfolio.

Club and bar specialists plan gastropub

A new gastropub, the Jam Tree, is being developed in Kensington, London, by bar and club entrepreneurs Ashley Letchford, Yann Roberts and Sam O’Riordan. Formerly called the Priory House pub, the leasehold property was sold by property agency Christie & Co. Letchford’s background includes setting up Gigalum, Inigo and the refurbished Clapham Grand and he is currently a director of Archangel in Kensington and general manager of Aquum in Clapham. Roberts’ track record includes opening Pacha London and The White House in Clapham. O’Riordan, who is the manager and brother of DJ Judge Jules, has also worked in hospitality including the Ritz, the Savoy and Westbury Hotel plus two years working for his uncle, Rick Stein, in Padstow, Cornwall.

Win a World Cup party for your bar

Moy Park Foodservice is celebrating its sponsorship of this summer’s FIFA World Cup by offering licensees the chance to win a “World Cup Kick-Off Party” for England’s opening game on Saturday June 12. The prize is £100 of Moy Park Foodservice sharing platter products, £150 towards additional food and drink, six bottles of sparkling wine and a point-of-sale kit of balloons, bunting, posters and tent cards. Licensees can enter at www.moyparkfoodservice.com/worldcup where they can also apply for point-of-sale kits comprising posters, tent cards, strut cards, bunting and mini flags to decorate sharing platters.

Training series starts in Scotland

Training company Learnpurple has unveiled a programme of events at bars and hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow aimed at providing practical skills for people working in bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels. Called Learning Bites, they are being held from this week onwards until August at Blythswood Square Hotel and Radisson Blu in Glasgow and Hotel Missoni and Tigerlily in Edinburgh. Topics covered include customer service, managing and motivating, and being a first-time manager. Details about the seasons, which cost £95 plus VAT, at www.learnpurple.com.

Diageo predicts single-digit growth

Drinks giant Diageo continues to predict “low single-digit” organic growth in its operating profits after reporting a two per cent rise in net sales for the nine months to March 31.  In the last three months of that period, organic net sales growth was 12 per cent. Chief executive Paul Walsh said the group had seen “some signs of recovery, albeit fragile in the mature markets and stronger in the emerging markets”. He added: “Consumer trends remain difficult to predict, especially in the mature markets. Our guidance for low single-digit organic operating profit growth for the full year is unchanged and reflects our successful management of a tough environment in the first half and our continued ability to build on our strengths and increase marketing investment behind our brands.”

NCPLH training goes online

Training and qualification for the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) in England and Wales is now being delivered via the web by PLH Online. After a year delivering the Scottish certificate for personal licence holders, it means that users can achieve full certification in accordance with both the Licensing (England and Wales) Act 2003 and the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. The modules are approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority which is accredited to award the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (Off-Sales and On-Sales) and the QCF Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders in England and Wales. PLH Online has been developed in association with bar and restaurant operator Montpeliers (Edinburgh).

Posted: May 10, 2010

News round-up April 26-May 4, 2010:
Whitbread, Beefeater, Greene King, C&C, Lambrini, Bay Restaurant, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Disaronno, Pernod Ricard

Whitbread upbeat after profits rise

Investment in food-led pubs and continuing growth in coffee shops contributed to an increase in annual profits, Whitbread has reported. Underlying pre-tax profits rose by 6.6 per cent to £239.1million for the year to March 4. Total turnover was up 7.5 per cent to £1,435million although overall like-for-like sales for the year fell by half a per cent. However, Whitbread said like-for-like sales improved in the fourth quarter by 3.1 per cent. Costa continued to outperform the rest of the group, reporting like-for-like sales up 5.5 per cent for the year. The group added that the first seven weeks since the start of its financial year in March had started well.

Sales up at Greene King managed pubs

Managed pubs run by brewer and operator Greene King have reported an upturn in trade, according to a trading statement last week. The managed estate saw like-for-like sales rise by nearly four per cent for the 49 weeks to April 11 while its Belhaven pubs increased like-for-like sales by 5.6 per cent over the same period. Volumes of Greene King’s own beers were up nearly four per cent while Belhaven Best volumes rose by more than 15 per cent.

Lambrini Ladies emerge for election

Halewood International has been running a major PR and social media initiative for its Lambrini brand in the run-up to the General Election. It was based on the insight that, while previous general elections have been driven by the likes of Mondeo Man and Worcester Woman, this week’s election will be decided by more than four million so-called Lambrini Ladies. Halewood commissioned a study by market research firm Opinion Matters with analysis by Professor Steven Fielding, Nottingham University’s professor of political history and director of the Centre for British Politics, School of Politics and International Relations. The study identified more than four million British young, working women and mums aged 18 to 34 who had views but did not vote.  It prompted national media coverage of the debate over the disenfranchised “Lambrini Ladies”.

New Beefeater gin launched for summer

A limited-edition Beefeater London Dry Summer Gin has been launched with extra floral botanicals added to create a spirit ideal for summer picnics and barbecues. It has been created by Beefeater’s legendary master distiller, Desmond Payne, and contains elderflower, hibiscus and blackcurrant botanicals on top of the original Beefeater recipe. It is available for £17.99 at Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods, with a special bottle covered in soft floral images. Desmond commented: “I wanted to create a gin that would be ideally suited to lighter summer drinks and take advantage of those rarer botanicals that are less available to remind consumers of the wonderful aromas and tastes of summer in a gin.”

Four in five “pre-load” before night out

Increasing numbers of people are drinking at home before a night-out because of the availability of low-price alcoholic drinks in the off-trade, according to a survey from corporate advisory firm Zolfo Cooper. Eighty per cent of people drink at home before going out, with “pre-loading” most common with people aged 18 to 34. The research also showed that 44 per cent fewer people were drinking in bars and pubs than six months ago because it was cheaper to buy alcohol in shops. However, Zolfo Cooper also found that so-called “pre-loaders” spent a third more when they do go out than people who go out to a bar for their first drink.

C&C sells spirits to William Grant

C&C Group has announced that it is selling its spirits and liqueurs division to William Grant for €300million (£260million). The business includes classic liqueur Frangelico, Irish whiskey Tullamore Dew and Irish Mist liqueur. The group, which owns the Magners cider business, said proceeds from the sale would be used to cut debt and for “general corporate purposes”.

Bay Restaurant Group “up for sale”

The remains of Robert Tchenguiz’s bar and restaurant empire, which includes Slug and Lettuce, Ha Ha Bar & Grill and La Tasca, have been put up for sale by the lending banks that took control of them in the wake of the financial crisis, according to a report in the Telegraph. The Bay Restaurant Group was allegedly offered last week to several potential buyers for an estimated £70million by its owners Kaupthing, the Icelandic bank, and Commerzbank, the German bank.

CCE offers TV prizes for World Cup

Coca-Cola Enterprises is offering licensees a chance to win one of 100 40-inch Sony TVs for their bar in a trade promotion in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup. Running across cases of Coca-Cola and Diet Coke, the prizes are available to win instantly through special pack messages on the bottom of the case tray. Limited-edition World Cup sleeves will also feature on all Coca-Cola 330ml bottles.

Major TV campaign for Disaronno

Disaronno, the non-cream liqueur, is launching a new national advertising campaign which will include its first-ever burst of summer TV advertising. Doubling the brand’s annual media spend, the “Open the Possibilities” campaign will focus on Disaronno’s style credentials and also promote its versatility. A second part of the TV advertising later in the summer will promote four key serves: Disaronno Sour, Disaronno Cranberry, Disaronno OJ and Disaronno Ginger.

Heineken to run World Cup promotion

Heineken UK is to launch a World Cup promotion in more than 13,000 bars this month under the banner of “Who wants to be a football millionaire?”. Fronted by Who Wants To Be a Millionaire presenter Chris Tarrant, it will be featured across five beer and cider brands: Foster’s, John Smith’s, Kronenbourgh 1664, Strongbow and Bulmers. The campaign, which will also run in the off-trade, is being supported by promotional kits supplied via logistics specialist EC Group.

Venue announced for bar design awards

The venue for this year’s Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in June has been confirmed as Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square in central London. The event is due to be attended by the UK’s top designers and operators of bars and restaurants to find out the winners from a shortlist announced in March. It takes place on the evening of June 22. The awards were previously due to take place at Westfield Stratford City, overlooking London’s Olympic Park, but this is no longer available. Details at www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com.

Bartenders invited to rum-blending challenge

Lamb’s Spiced Rum is continuing its quest around the regions to find the “Master Of The Blend” following on from a 10-city tour last year.  Hosted by newly appointed brand ambassador Rob Worsley, events are being held in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham throughout May and June inviting bartenders to take part in a rum blending competition, with a regional final set to take place this summer. The first event will be held in Edinburgh at Tonic, on May 20. For further details, contact maxine@rumpus-comms.com.

Pernod Ricard hit by European droop

Pernod Ricard has reported that turnover fell by 12 per cent in Europe to €1,686million (£1,462million) in the three months to the end of March, blaming difficult conditions in the UK, Ireland and Spain. However, consolidated sales globally for the quarter achieved a “marked upturn”, the drinks giant revealed, rising by 14 per cent to €1,538million (£1,331million). Its brands include Beefeater, Jameson, Havana Club and Absolut.

Marketers show more caution

Drinks companies are taking more care over how they market alcoholic drinks, according to the latest figures from industry watchdog The Portman Group. It has revealed that there was a year-on-year rise of 40 per cent in the number of proposed campaigns, packaging and other initiatives that were sent to it for vetting. More than 356 proposals were examined last year compared to 250 in 2008.

May 4, 2010

Industry news April 19-26, 2010:
Budweiser, Punch, Blue Moon, Slug and Lettuce, Kopparberg, Aspall, VK, Bloom Gin, Sidekick, Mixxit, Freedom

AB InBev to launch 4% Bud

Anheuser-Busch InBev UK is to launch Budweiser Brew No “66”, an “ultra refreshing” beer specifically developed to appeal to consumers in their early 20s.  It is a lightly carbonated lager brewed with a touch of sweetness for a smooth, easy taste at four per cent ABV. It follows the launch of AB InBev UK’s four per cent ABV beers, Beck’s Vier and Stella Artois 4%. It is due to launch this summer, backed by a multi-million-pound campaign. AB InBev UK president Stuart MacFarlane said the launch followed a “phenomenal” year for Budweiser. “Budweiser grew volume sales by 19 per cent and market share by 18.9 per cent [in the UK].  This is exceptional growth and Budweiser is on track for another fantastic year in 2010.” 

Punch positive despite profit drop

The UK’s biggest pub company, Punch Taverns, last week blamed a decline in half-year profits on increased financial support for licensees and curbs on beer price increases. In the 28 weeks to March 6, it reported pre-tax profits of £66million, a fall of 19 per cent compared to the same period last year. The company said: “Some of the decisions we have taken, such as increasing financial support to our lessee partners and limiting beer price increases, have put pressure on short-term profitability.  However, we are confident that these decisions will provide the platform for improved profitability in the longer term and it is pleasing to see that our interim results are in line with our expectations.” Punch added that trading during the Easter holiday was “good and slightly ahead of last year in the managed estate”.

Draught Blue Moon introduced to UK

Molson Coors UK is launching Draught Blue Moon in selected London bars this month after its “phenomenal” success in the US. The 5.4 per cent ABV beer, which is currently available in bottles in the UK, is brewed with oats for creaminess and spiced with a combination of orange peel and coriander.  The perfect serve is an orange slice or wedge to bring out the subtle flavours of the orange peel and coriander. It will be available in kegs of 20 litre, kegged at the Burton-on-Trent brewery, with a ceramic tap handle imported from the US to give maximum stand-out in outlet and reinforce the North American craft beer credentials. Draught Blue Moon will initially be launched in 100 London outlets including launch partners Fuller’s, Mitchells & Butlers and a selection of hand-picked independent on-trade outlets.

UK launch for new alcoholic ginger beer

Cider of Sweden, the UK arm of Sweden’s Kopparberg Breweries, is launching Frank’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer, created specifically for the UK market. It marks the company’s first new brand launch outside of its Kopparberg Cider range.  It is a blend of traditional Swedish lager and ginger which, when brewed together, produce a refreshing lager with a spicy undertone.  Available in 500ml bottles, Frank’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer has an ABV of four per cent and can be served straight or over ice in a glass.

Mobile promotion for Slug and Lettuce

Slug and Lettuce, part of Town & City Pub Company, has launched a consumer promotion using mobile vouchers for the first time. The activity, which enables customers to download vouchers based on their location, has been put together with mobile phone application Vouchercloud. Available via an iPhone and an iPod Touch, the vouchers feature a unique redemption code that bar staff use to apply to each bill. Lisa Stoddart, head of online for Town & City, said the system, which is self-administered, “enables us to bring offers direct to both new and existing customers”.
 

New look for Aspall cider

Cider maker Aspall is introducing a contemporary new chrome font into the on-trade as well as an additional style of branded glassware. The developments are part of a £1million investment in the brand announced last month to support continued expansion into top-end bars. The font is designed by Cornelius, the suppler of beverage dispense and cooling equipment, and features the iconic Aspall knight at the base of the unit and on the dispense pull. The badge displays the cider’s 100 per cent apple juice content to highlight a key feature of the brand. The new glassware, available as both half pint and pint, has tall sloping sides to complement the existing Aspall goblets.

VK adds lemon to range

Global Brands is investing £400,000 to launch a new fruit flavour for its ready-to-drink brand, VK. Called VK Lemon, it is made with real fruit juice and has been developed in line with growing consumer demand for fruit-flavoured RTDs. Over the next three months, Global Brands will support the launch with digital media, a 60-strong promotions team and point-of-sale material including bar runners, T-shirts and VK display towers. It has already secured listings with Molson Coors, WaverleyTBS, Matthew Clark, Carlsberg, the NUS, JD Wetherspoon and Punch.

Vanquish adds Bloom Gin to list

Bloom Gin has been added to the brand management portfolio of luxury drinks specialist Vanquish. The premium London Dry Gin is made by G&J Greenall to a recipe created by its master distiller, Joanne Moore. It has the key botanicals of juniper, coriander and angelica plus cubeb berries, camomile, honeysuckle and pomelo (Chinese grapefruit). It is distributed exclusively by Vanquish, which has introduced other premium products into the UK on-trade such as St Nicholas Abbey 10-year-old rum.

Investment for Sidekick

Halewood International is to invest heavily into the advertising of its Sidekick brand after a major redesign and repositioning. Available in 10 flavours in 500ml bottles with an ABV of 14.5 per cent, the range is increasingly being used by consumers as part of a long drink or cocktail pitcher as well as a shot. This is reflected in the new strapline, “Mix’d Your Way”, plus point-of-sale and marketing collateral featuring serving suggestions for the on-trade.  Halewood has also reported the biggest-ever growth in sales for its ready-to-drink brand VS since it launched in 2000. Bucking a 17 per cent decline in RTDs, VS is enjoying growth of 25 per cent.

Relaunch for Mixxit website

Maxxium UK is relaunching the website for its Mixxit training and education programme to improve mixed drinks and cocktail standards in both the on-trade and at home. Hundreds of new recipes have been added at www.mixxit.co.uk along with instructions for creating the perfect serve. It also now features newer brands in Maxxium UK’s portfolio including Courvoisier, Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam. It is part of a £1.1million investment in Mixxit.

New draught lager from Freedom

Freedom Brewery has expanded its range of hand-crafted English draught lagers with the introduction of a new four per cent ABV lager. Called Freedom Four, it is an easy-drinking Helles Pale lager, building on the success of Freedom’s Organic, Pilsner and Organic Dark lagers. It is available in 50 litre kegs along with point-of-sale material and glassware.

Study reports on “binge-drinking”

One in 10 people on a night out said they planned to drink the equivalent of 40 units or more of alcohol before they went home, according to a survey of drinkers in Manchester, Liverpool and Chester on Friday and Saturday nights.  Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University reported that 15 per cent of men and four per cent of women expected their total alcohol intake would equate to more than 40 units before going to sleep. The study was based on a series of interviews, breath tests and assessments of the subjects’ levels of drunkenness.

April 26, 2010

Industry news April 12-19, 2010:
Vedett, Coffer Peach, Tuborg, Lamb’s Spiced, election, rum, Cinzano, Brakspear, M&B, Dooley’s, whisky

Draught version of Vedett launched

Vedett is to launch a draught version of its imported premium lager across bars nationwide. Initially available across Orchid Group’s 13 Living Room bars as well as London’s Bar Music Hall, Vedett draught will be rolled out across top-end independent outlets around the country from late April. The launch has been driven by the success of bottled Vedett. Its brewer, Duvel Moortgat, said the move would see it challenge brands like Peroni and Staropramen with its increased reach.

Sales dip by 0.4 per cent

The UK’s top bar, restaurant and pub groups saw a 0.4 per cent fall in like-for-like sales in March compared to the same month last year, according to aggregated trading figures in the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker survey.  Total sales for the month were 0.1 per cent ahead of March 2009. February saw a 1.3 per cent increase in like-for-like sales. The survey is based on 15 major operators including Novus Leisure and Mitchells & Butlers.

Tories pledge overhaul of licensing

The Conservatives have pledged to ban the off-trade from selling alcohol below cost if they are elected, according to the party’s election manifesto. They confirmed that they would “overhaul” the Licensing Act, adding new measures such as allowing local councils to charge operators more for late-night licences to pay for extra policing. Authorities would also be given stronger powers to remove the licences of problem premises. The manifesto, launched last week, stated: “Under Labour’s lax licensing regime, drink-fuelled violence and disorder are a blight on many communities.”
Labour has already promised to curb below-cost selling if elected while the Liberal Democrats also said they backed a “ban on below-cost selling and are in favour of the principle of minimum pricing”.

Women triumph at Akvinta competition

Carolin Weise of One Aldwych and Vanina Stanek of Theo Randall at the Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane came first and second respectively with their Pink Parrot and La Flora cocktails made with Akvinta vodka at the London heat of the UK Bartenders Guild Akvinta Grand Prix National Cocktail Competition. It was held in the Rockwell Bar at the Trafalgar Hotel in Trafalgar Square last week. The next two heats are at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey on April 20 and at the Blue Dog in Glasgow on April 27. The final will be in London on May 11.

Lamb’s Spiced challenges bartenders

Lamb’s Spiced Rum is continuing its quest to find a regional “Master Of The Blend”, following on from a 10-city tour last year.  Hosted by newly appointed brand ambassador Rob Worsley, the brand’s team will be visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham throughout May and June inviting local bartenders to take part in their rum blending competition, with a regional final set to take place this summer. The first event will be held in Edinburgh at Tonic on Thursday May 20. For details contact maxine@rumpus-comms.com.

Tuborg blitzes towns and cities

An advertising and marketing campaign is being launched next week to drive sales of Tuborg beer, including branded vehicles taking people round bars and pubs in nine towns and cities. Carlsberg UK’s £2million Urban Blitz activity emphasises the brand’s links with live music, taking place over four weeks in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield. Tuborg Tuk-Tuks – motorised rickshaws – will transport drinkers to different outlets, with drivers handing out coupons worht £1 off their next Tuborg.

New booklet supports rum campaign

A pocket-size booklet about the rums of the Caribbean has been launched by the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA) as part of its True Rum campaign. Called The Book of Discovery, it contains information on the best rums from the region plus cocktail recipes. It is being distributed to the trade this week. Copies can be requested via sabina@brayleino.co.uk.

Leeds and Edinburgh bars sold

The leasehold interests of Bar Baja in Leeds and the Ivory Lounge in Edinburgh have been sold by TCG Acquisitions, the managed pub company owned by private equity group Alchemy Partners. They have been bought for undisclosed sums by JD Wetherspoon which is currently rolling out its core pub concept as well as Lloyds No 1.

Redesign for Cinzano

Gruppo Campari is to roll out a new design for Cinzano, unveiling a new look to revitalise its image and create a more contemporary and approachable positioning. Across Cinzano Bianco, Cinzano Extra Dry and Cinzano Rosso, it introduces simpler but sophisticated label graphics and a contemporary bottle shape focusing on rounded and curved lines. Tina Martin, the brand’s marketing manager at UK distributor Cellar Trends, said: “The trend to classic cocktails, in which vermouth is a key ingredient, has revived the fortunes of the vermouth sector recently and the new designs will enhance Cinzano’s shelf appeal and value perception.”

Board shake-up at Brakspear

Pub and brewer Brakspear is making senior management changes in advance of the departure of three directors. Chief executive Don Bridgman is retiring in September, to be replaced by current commercial director Tom Davies. Property director Tom Verey retires from the board at the end of this month after 24 years of service but will remain with the company for a further year to oversee the company’s property development programme. Jim Hill, finance director and company secretary, has left the company after nearly 33 years. Bridgman will assume responsibility for the finance function while a new chief financial officer is recruited. Martin Challis, former managing director of pub operator JT Davies & Sons, joins the Brakspear board next month.

M&B “turns down offer” for bars

Mitchells & Butlers has turned down more than one offer to buy its All Bar One and Browns chains of bars, according to a report in The Times. It is believed that private equity groups have shown interested in the businesses made up of 14 Browns and 38 All Bar Ones.  Last month, M&B announced a focus on food-led outlets, concentrating on expanding its six food-led brands: Toby Carvery, Crown Carveries, Harvester, Sizzling Pub Co, Premium Country Dining and Vintage Inns.

Marketing drive for Dooley’s

Dooley’s Original Toffee & Vodka has embarked on its biggest-ever direct marketing campaign, developing a new consumer lifestyle magazine called Toffee Times. It was distributed last week to one million households across the UK, targeting women aged 24 to 40 years old. It features articles on lifestyle, cocktail ideas and competitions, such as a chance to win Dooley’s tipper glasses. It is the first in a number of marketing initiatives in 2010 for Dooley’s as the brand looks to continue its steady growth.

Whisky exports at record levels

Global exports of Scotch whisky reached record levels in 2009 despite the economic downturn in some major markets, according to annual figures published last week by the Scotch Whisky Association. Exports rose by three per cent in value to £3.13billion, contributing £99 every second to the UK trade balance. Export volumes increased by four per cent worldwide, with the equivalent of 1.1billion 70cl bottles of Scotch whisky shipped.

Eclectic bosses step up charity drive

Eclectic Clubs and Bars, operator of Po Na Na and Sakura venues, has embarked on a series of fund-raising initiatives in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, its official charity for 2010. It raised £10,000 at a dinner and charity auction at its Chelsea club and bar Embargo59 in March while this Sunday managing director Reuben Harley and marketing manager Nikki Ritchie aim to raise a similar amount by running the London Marathon.

World’s top sommelier named

Gerard Basset, owner of Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire and technical director of the Academy of Food & Wine, has won the title of the World’s Best Sommelier. He beat 53 sommeliers in the competition, organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale in Chile last week. French-born Basset was one of the founders of the Hotel du Vin chain and has the distinction of being the only person in the world who has the title of Master of Wine and Master Sommelier and has the Wine MBA.

April 19, 2010

News round-up April 6-12, 2010:
Cider, Southern Comfort, Marston's, Aspall, Malibu, Morgan's Spiced, BII, cava

Labour pledges to restore cider duty rise

The government is to reduce the 13 per cent rise in duty on cider but has warned that it will re-instate the increase if it wins the election. It introduced a rise of 10 per cent above the rate of inflation in the Budget but was forced to shelve it because there was not enough time to get it onto the statute books before Parliament was dissolved last week. The duty rise will stay in place until June 30 when it will go back down to two per cent above inflation – in line with beer – but Labour said it would restore the full rise if it was returned to power. Conservative leader David Cameron suggested his party had alternative proposals for focusing duty rises on higher-strength ciders.

New look for Southern Comfort

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands is to start rolling out a new bottle design for Southern Comfort next month. The new look draws on the brand’s heritage, dating back to its creation in 1874 in New Orleans. The label includes the fleur de lis symbol of New Orleans and filigree illustrations inspired by the wrought-iron balconies found in the French Quarter. High embossing and gold accents provide a premium finish.

Food helps boost Marston’s sales

Like-for-like sales at Marston’s managed houses were up 1.4 per cent, boosted by demand for food, the brewer and pub operator has reported. Its tenanted and leased division saw like-for-like profits drop by 4.6 per cent over the period of 26 weeks to April 3, but this was an improvement on January’s figure of 4.9 per cent. Like-for-like food sales were up 2.5 per cent and like-for-like wet sales edged up by 0.5 per cent. While volumes of its own beers were flat, premium ales were up four per cent. The company added that trading over the Easter weekend was “slightly ahead of last year”.

Cocktail campaign for Malibu

Pernod Ricard UK is supporting a new ad campaign for Malibu with a cocktail-based promotion in the on-trade.  Advertising across TV, radio and online features Radio Maliboom Boom, depicting two DJs broadcasting Caribbean music around the world. A new Malibu cocktail shaker will be distributed to the trade for handing out to customers so they can make their own cocktails at the bar. There will be 55,000 shakers sent to 500 bars along with cocktail recipes.

Luxury variant for Russian Standard

A new luxury version of Russian Standard vodka has been launched into the on-trade called Russian Standard Gold. It is smooth and rich with subtle sweet tones, suitable for drinking on the rocks or mixed. Distributor First Drinks Brands said it was developed to meet demand from the gift market with no plans to launch it into the on-trade.

Aspall adds to cider range in on-trade

Cider maker Aspall has introduced two new formats of its brands for the on-trade. Perronnelle’s Blush and Aspall Draught Suffolk Cyder are now available in 330ml bottles. They have the same design as the 500ml bottles but are shorter, making them easier to store in a back-bar fridge. Aspall is also investing more than £1million in revamping the branding for its four-strong range of premium ciders, switching from green glass to amber and featuring simpler labels.

Britons drink more cava

Imports of cava to the UK continue to soar, according to new figures for 2009 from the Consejo Regolador de Cava.  Nearly 33million 75cl bottles of the wine were imported to the UK last year, up eight per cent on 2008. The UK is the second largest nation of cava drinkers outside Spain.  Codorniu, the UK’s number-one cava brand, performed ahead of the market with volume growth of 15 per cent in 2009, according to AC Nielsen.

Tequilas introduced into the UK

Three tequilas have been launched into the UK trade by The Tequila Society, which works directly with Mexican producers to bring their high-quality boutique products to this country. The new arrivals are Don Alvaro, Alma Mia and Aha Toro, which are available through retail and online from the likes of Gerry’s and Soho Wine Supply.

Call for action for charity

Hospitality Action is calling on workers in the industry to take part in Hospitality Action Week from May 17 to 23. The charity is asking everyone to raise at least £5 during the week of action by organising fund-raising activities. One simple way is to enter the Big Prize Draw with a chance to win the first prize of a five-star trip for two to New York. For ideas and fund-raising packs, visit www.hospitalityaction.org.uk.

Morgan’s Spiced runs sampling campaign

Sampling activites are being run in bars, clubs and pubs to support a new marketing campaign for Morgan’s Spiced. Diageo GB aims to give 100,000 consumers the opportunity to try the spiced rum over the next three months, with more than 600 sampling events in outlets in major cities in England, Scotland and Wales. It is part of its Modern Adventurer campaign which began last year, encouraging people to find adventure in the everyday.

Karren Brady to speak at BII lunch

Top football executive Karren Brady is the guest speaker at this year’s BII annual lunch which takes places at Grosvenor House in London on May 11. Guests will be able to grill Brady, who is now vice chairman of West Ham FC. The lunch also features the presentation of the 2010 BII Licensee of the Year and the announcement of the winner of the 2009 BII NITA Supreme Award. Tickets are available at www.bii.org/annuallunch or on 01276 417823.

Posted: April 12, 2010

News round-up March 29 to April 6, 2010:
Soft drinks, Galvin Cup, Maclay, new app, Kingdom Entertainment, Punch, Barracuda, SIA, Singha, Innis & Gunn, Coors, BIIAB, Carlsberg

Soft drinks overtake spirits in on-trade

Soft drinks have overtaken spirits to become the second largest drinks category in the on-trade after beer, according to Britvic’s latest Soft Drinks Report. The value of soft drinks in the on-trade increased by three per cent last year to £2.4billion. Volumes of soft drinks dropped by one per cent but this was in contrast to an eight per cent fall in volume for total beer, wine and spirits. The report also confirmed that Britvic’s Pepsi overtook Coca-Cola as the number-one cola in the on-trade after the brand’s sales rose by 10 per cent to £475million.

Call for entries for Galvin Cup

The Galvin Cup, now in its fourth year, has opened for entries, offering both students and professionals a chance to showcase their bartending and mixology skills. Due to be held at Westminster Kingsway College in London on June 8, it was created by Chris Galvin, chef patron of Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton, and the bar and restaurant’s general manager Fred Sirieux. Judges this year include Robbie Bargh of Gorgeous Group, Silvano Giraldin, formerly of Le Gavroche, and Luca Cordiglieri, vice president of the UK Bartenders Guild. Competitors are judged on their mixing skills, confidence and appearance. Linking with Glenmorangie, this year they will have to produce a classic Rob Roy plus a second original drink. More details at www.thegalvincup.com.

Winners named in spirits challenge

The results of the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2010, held in New York, have been published. Winners of the top award, the Chairman’s Trophy, included Broker’s Gin, Orzel vodka, Tres Agaves Añejo tequila, Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection Rum, The Macallan Fine Oak 21-year-old single malt, George Dickel No 12 10 year old Tennessee whiskey, Midleton Very Rare 2008 Irish whiskey, Frapin Chateau Fontpinot XO cognac and St. Germain elderflower liqueur. For the full results, visit http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/uscresults2010/

Sales boost for Maclay Inns

Maclay Inns, which operates bars and pubs across Scotland, has reported that like-for-like sales rose by two per cent in the year to October 3. Operating profits soared by 19 per cent to £740,000 with total sales at £10.6million. The Alloa-based group attributed its success partly to “effective management of margins and expenses”. Managing director Steve Mallon said the outlook for 2010 remained challenging but confidence was rising. Up to five acquisitions are planned this year.

New phone app for bartenders

A new application has been launched for the iPhone and iPod Touch to help bartenders to perfect their pour. Devised by the World Flair Association, the Virtual Pour counts measures accurately as if the user is pouring spirits or liqueurs from a bottle. Bartenders can use it to practise their pouring outside of work so that they can impress customers and employers when they are behind the bar. The app includes a game that allows users to compete against each other, with scores and rankings available both on the app and online at www.virtualpour.com.

Fridge sold to Kingdom Entertainment

The legendary Fridge nightclub in Brixton, south London, has been taken over by Kingdom Entertainment Group after the leasehold interest was put on the market by receivers. Marketed through property specialist Christie & Co, it was sold for an undisclosed sum and is set to continue being operated as a nightclub. Kingdom Entertainment also operates the Prince and Dex bar and club in Brixton as well as the West End’s Arts Theatre, which is home to the London Cocktail Club.

Door licensing becomes law in NI

Compulsory licensing of in-house door staff working at licensed premises such as bars, pubs and clubs came into force in Northern Ireland on April 1. By law, all door staff must now hold and display a valid Security Industry Authority licence. Those who manage, supervise or employ individuals who engage in licensable activity must hold at least a non-frontline licence.

New operations chief for Barracuda

Barracuda Group, which operates Varsity and Smith & Jones, has appointed Richard Stringer as operations director. He was previously head of operations in the south for the group and has worked for the company for nine years. His new position, which he started on April 1, sees him join the main board.

Checks on door staff in Nottingham

Bars and clubs in Nottingham scored nearly 100 per cent in a sweep to check if door staff were complying with Security Industry Authority conditions. Council licensing officers and staff from the SIA visited 56 licensed premises and checked 49 door staff, finding only one person not complying with the rules. The checks were carried out as part of the wider two-month Operation Portcullis to protect the safety of young people by tackling dangerous weapons and imitation weapons.

Beer celebrates Thai New Year

Singha beer is helping on-trade outlets to create events to celebrate Thai New Year which falls between April 12 and 18 this year. It is offering in-outlet support materials and kits alongside advertising and promotional activities. The kits include beer coasters, A4 strut cards, A2 and A4 posters and tent cards.

Carlsberg UK to launch new spritzer

Singer and TV presenter Louise Redknapp is to front a £3million marketing campaign to support Carlsberg UK’s launch of a new female-oriented spritzer, Eve. After a three-month trial in Manchester last year, the 3.1 per cent ABV bottled drink is to be introduced into the on-trade across the country.

Punch chief to stand down

Giles Thorley has announced he is stepping down as chief executive of the UK’s biggest pub company Punch Taverns after nine years in the role. His successor is due to be appointed by the end of this month and Thorley is expected to stay on until June to carry out the handover. He said he was leaving because Punch was becoming more “operationally focused” after selling off under-performing pubs and repaying £3.35billion of debt.

Sales drive for Coors Light

Molson Coors has launched a new on-trade programme to help licensees develop sales of Coors Light. The Coors Light Ice Cold Refreshment Plan Peak Profits is a platform for driving trial, purchase and loyalty for introducing the brand into an outlet. During a set period, bars can introduce Coors Light at a trial price and then increase the cost to the “aspirational” ongoing price while protecting gross profit and raising their cash margin. It includes free kegs, trial price point-of-sale support, staff incentives and rate-of-sale drivers.

Qualification launched for promoters

The new qualification for music promoters has been launched by the BIIAB, aimed at anyone wishing to put on any kind of music event. The Award for Music Promoters (AMP) is a two-day training programme, covering areas such as project management, financial management, marketing, risk assessment, noise management and licensing law. The BIIAB is the awarding body of the British Institute of Innkeeping.

New boss appointed to BHA

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has appointed a new chief executive with a background in the tourism industry. Ufi Ibrahim is currently chief operations officer at the World Travel & Tourism Council. She will replace the BHA’s current chief executive, Bob Cotton, in July.

Sales soar for Scottish brewer

Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has announced a record turnover for 2009, increasing sales by 31 per cent to £4.39million. The fourth quarter of the year delivered turnover of £1.1million, an increase of 21 per cent on the same period in 2008. While exports were up 63 per cent, domestic sales rose 17 per cent to £1.56million during the year despite a declining beer market.

Posted: April 6, 2010

News round-up March 22-29, 2010:
Mitchells & Butlers, Budget 2010, Adnams, Nichols

Beer and cider duty rise above inflation

Chancellor Alistair Darling ignored pleas from the licensed trade and raised duty on beer and cider in last week’s Budget. Beer duty increased by five per cent on Sunday – the equivalent of about 8p per pint – in line with the “duty escalator” that imposes a two per cent increase above the rate of inflation. The Chancellor also announced the duty escalator would be extended beyond its original term. “Alcohol duties will also increase by two per cent above inflation for two further years from 2013,” he said. The duty on cider went up by 13 per cent – 10 per cent above inflation – and by 5.1 per cent on spirits. Magners announced that it would hold wholesale prices of its ciders and absorb the increase in duty.

Mitchells & Butlers to exit “drinks-led” pubs

Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s largest operators of pubs and bars, is to focus on outlets selling food rather than “drinks-led pubs” after a strategy review. It has announced that a revamp of the business would centre on expanding its six food-led brands: Toby Carvery, Crown Carveries, Harvester, Sizzling Pub Co, Premium Country Dining and Vintage Inns. Its 2,000 properties currently include the All Bar One and O’Neill’s chains but M&B said the long-term plan was to increase the number of sites operating under the six core brands from 913 to 1,900. The company added that it was planning “a withdrawal from the more price-sensitive drinks-led businesses”, either by converting them to the “growth brands” or disposal.

Surge in profits for Adnams

Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator Adnams has reported an increase in sales and profits but remains cautious after the poor weather at the start of the year. Sales rose by 8.9 per cent for the year to the end of December to £51.3million and pre-tax profits surged by 134 per cent to £3.1million.

“Exceptional” results from Nichols

Soft drinks group Nichols, whose brands include Vimto, Panda and Sunkist, has reported an “exceptional performance” in the year to the end of December. Sales soared by 29 per cent to £72.4million and pre-tax profits rose 22 per cent to £12.2million. The group recorded a 28 per cent increase in UK sales, while international sales were ahead 33 per cent.

Posted: March 29, 2010

Industry news March 15-22, 2010:
Champagne, Secrets, Guoman Hotels, pub grants

Iconic London club on market

The Fridge, one of London’s best-known nightclubs, has been put on the market through property specialist Christie & Co. The leasehold is being offered for about £250,000. The former cinema, which has a capacity of 1,700, has been home to The Fridge since 1985 after it was founded by Andrew Czezowski and Susan Carrington. It claimed to have been the first British club to feature innovations such as video screens and a chill-out lounge. Christie & Co is acting on behalf of receiver Stephen Katz of David Rubin & Partners LLP.

TV series focuses on cocktail bar

Mokoko, a cocktail bar in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features this week in TV series The Business Inspector, in which entrepreneur Hilary Devey provides advice on how to improve business through better record keeping. Mokoko’s owner, Jass Patel, said the advice in the programme helped to bring new energy and direction to the bar. It is being broadcast on Wednesday March 24 at 8pm on Five, sponsored by HM Revenue & Customs.

Yegaar forced to re-label

A Scottish bar and drinks producer has been forced to re-label its own product, Yegaar, because its packaging did not state that it contained alcohol. Mulligans of Dumfries was told by industry watchdog The Portman Group that the product breached its code because a lack of information on the front label would cause confusion. It was responding to a complaint from Cellar Trends which distributes herbal liqueur Jägermeister. The Portman Group chief executive David Poley said: “It is difficult for consumers to tell that Yegaar is an alcoholic drink, let alone how strong it is. We don’t even know what kind of alcohol it contains.”

Top London hotel put up for sale

The four-star deluxe Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch, London, which is home to the award-winning Carbon bar, has been put on the market for an undisclosed sum. It is being sold by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which earlier this month also put the nearby Grosvenor House up for sale. The Cumberland is operated by Guoman Hotels and is being marketing by CBRE Hotels,

Champagne sales decline in UK

Volume sales of champagne in the UK fell by 15 per cent in the UK in 2009, a decline of about five million bottles, according to new figures from the Champagne Bureau. However, the UK, which imported 30.52 million bottles last year, remains the largest export market for the French sparkling wine, with Britons consuming more than Germany, Belgium and the USA combined. Overall exports of champagne from the region fell by 28 per cent to €1.6billion last year, it was reported last month.

Community pubs receive £4m of support

A £4million package has been launched by the Government to help community pubs, including a relaxation of planning rules to encourage licensees to diversify their businesses. Pubs minister John Healey unveiled a 12-point action plan that was headed by a £3.3million fund to provide grants to support 50 community pubs in a three-year pilot programme. Pubs will be allowed to branch out into new commercial ventures, such as adding restaurants or shops, without the additional expense and time of seeking planning approval from the council. Pub companies were also warned to allow tenants to sell more locally sourced beers as well as tied products or risk being forced to do so under new legislation.

Table-dancing club targets women

A table-dancing club in Covent Garden, London, is being targeted at women as well as men by promoting it as a champagne and cocktail bar. Secrets is part of the chain of clubs founded by Stephen Less in Hammersmith, west London, in 1997. It follows a £1.5million refurbishment of the Covent Garden venue by design company Grapes Design whose other recent projects include Mayfair club Aura and Notting Hill’s Supperclub. It features a new cocktail list put together by Less with Dominic Worthington, manager of the Covent Garden club. There are no plans to revamp the other five Secrets clubs in the same way.

Bars to celebrate cask ale

National Cask Ale Week begins next week, involving about 4,000 pubs and bars across the UK. Running from March 29 to April 5, it is being organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), with licensees being offered point-of-sale materials to support activities. For more information, visit ww.caskaleweek.co.uk.

Prince of Wales backs trade’s charity

The Prince of Wales is backing an event to help Hospitality Action raise funds for hospitality workers who are in need. He has allowed the charity to have an exclusive tour of the gardens of Highgrove with afternoon tea in the Orchard Room. It will be preceded by a lunch at the award-winning Whatley Manor. It takes place on Wednesday 28th April and all the funds raised will go to Hospitality Action and The Prince’s Charities Foundation. Details on 020 3004 5503 or at astrid@hospitalityaction.org.uk.

Posted: March 22, 2010

News round-up March 8-15, 2010:
Boutique Bar Show, East Room & Sosho, Eclectic Bars, Coffer Peach, Jongleurs, Luminar, Wetherspoon

Boutique Bar Show expands north

The organisers of the annual Boutique Bar Show in London have announced details of their first event outside the capital, taking place in Manchester on May 13. It will present many new products such as Oxley Classic English Dry Gin, cognac-based liqueur Sève Feu de Joie and Geranium Gin. Held at Manchester Town Hall, it will feature a cocktail competition and a bar with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme created by Sosho Rehab.

Exhibitors will include Marblehead, Inspirit Brands, Eaux de Vie, Emporia Brands, Mangrove, Distilled Spirits and Molson Coors’ Different World Drinks. Beer tastings will be run by Tom Sandham and Ben McFarland of Dwink.com. Aimed at the trade during the daytime, it will open up to consumers in the evening. Bars in the city are to create special show cocktail menus to promote the event.

Fire closes East Room and Sosho

The East Room and Sosho in Shoreditch, east London, will be closed “for the foreseeable future” after they were devastated by a fire last week. The renowned cocktail bar and members’ club, which are part of the Match Bar Group, sustained millions of pounds of damage. Nobody was injured in the blaze and nothing has been confirmed about the cause. The two venues were opened in Tabernacle Street two years ago by Jonathan Downey as part of his Match Bar Group, which also includes the Match bars in Clerkenwell and the West End. His other London bars include Trailer Happiness, Harlem, The Player and Milk & Honey.

Eclectic Bars celebrates profit boost

Sales and profits were “substantially ahead of last year” at Eclectic Bars, the operator of Po Na Na, Fez, Sakura and Embargo59.  Avanti Capital, which holds a 60 per cent stake, reported that the bar and club company’s sales were up 15 per cent to £6.8million for the six months to December 31. It added that trading over the New Year was strong and that “management is optimistic about the outcome for the second six months continuing the trend seen in the first half”.

Industry returns to positive like-for-likes

After being hit by the snow and freezing conditions in January, bars, restaurants and pubs have enjoyed a rise in like-for-like sales, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Based on figures from 15 of the UK’s biggest groups, it reports that like-for-like sales rose by 1.3 per cent year on year in February.   Total sales, including new openings, were up by about three per cent.

Jongleurs returns with Nottingham club

Comedy club Jongleurs, formerly operated by Regent Inns, is returning to cities across the UK, with its first reincarnation at a new purpose-built venue in Nottingham city centre.  The new site, previously known as the Funktion Room, is being launched by a new company, Momo Leisure, which was formed by David Elphick, head of training at Poppleston Allen Solicitors, and Jez King, ex-operations director of Regent Inns. They plan to open six comedy clubs across the UK. Elphick said: “In addition to Nottingham, we are exploring opportunities in Cambridge, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle, with more to follow.”

Bar and pub sales net £6.7m for Enterprise

Enterprise Inns has raised £6.7million by selling five of its London bars and pubs at auction, including Sofa So Bar in Fulham and Molly Moggs in Charing Cross Road. Sold through property auctioneers Cushman Wakefield, the package also included the Ealing Park Tavern and the Hope in Tottenham Street. Enterprise Inns sold another pub, the Princess of Shoreditch, after the auction. It had hoped to sell another three pubs – the Halfway House in Barnes, the Three Kings in Clerkenwell and the Sun in Drury Lane – but they were left unsold.

Sales droop for Luminar

Club operator Luminar revealed that like-for-like sales dropped by 9.9 per cent for the year to February ahead of its annual results in May. It said the last two months of its financial year were “severely affected by persistent poor weather across most of the UK”. Full-year profits would be “in line with the board’s expectations”, the company said in its trading statement. Equity analyst Mark Brumby of Astaire Securities said Luminar was expected to report a pre-tax profit of about £4million. The group, whose club brands include Oceana and Liquid, also reported that it was planning a “rigorous” programme to reduce costs after the arrival of new chief executive Simon Douglas.

New MD at bar and restaurant operator

Compass Group has appointed Nick Potter as managing director of its contract bar and restaurant business Restaurant Associates. Due to arrive next month, he is joining from Gala Coral, the betting, casino and bingo group, where he held roles including divisional managing director. Previously, he was in senior roles at Eldridge Pope and Allied Domecq. He said: “I believe my experience within the industry will enable me to develop further Restaurant Associates’ bespoke offer and develop it as a highly regarded brand.”

Record profits reported by Wetherspoon

JD Wetherspoon has reported record profits for the first half of its financial year despite flat like-for-like sales. Pre-tax profits rose by 41 per cent to £36.2million for the six months to January 24, while turnover rose four per cent to £488.1million. Like-for-like sales edged up by just 0.1 per cent. The company added that trading in the six weeks to March 7 this year was “on a similar trend to last year”, with like-for-like sales down by 0.4 per cent and total sales rising by 3.9 per cent. Chairman Tim Martin said part of the success was down to a refinancing deal, which gave it a new £530million four-year banking facility with a syndicate of 11 banks. The funds will support its plans for continued expansion.

New promotion fits trade to a tea

Tetley has launched a trade promotion offering bars and pubs free equipment if they buy enough cases of its tea bags. Rewards on offer between March 19 and April 30 include a Kenwood stainless-steel jug kettle, a Kenwood smoothie maker and a Kenwood stainless-steel four-slice toaster. Every applicant in the spring promotion will also be entered automatically into Tetley’s Equipment Bonanza free draw to win £500 of top-of-the-range Kenwood equipment. Details at www.tetleyforcaterers.co.uk.

March 15, 2010

News round-up March 1-8, 2010:
No 3 gin, bar design awards, Diageo, Coca-Cola, S&NPC, Whitbread, Sailor Jerry, Fentimans, M&B, Carlsberg

New No 3 London Dry Gin unveiled

The eagerly awaited No 3 London Dry Gin has been unveiled by Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR), made with just three fruits and three spices: juniper from Italy, Spanish orange peel, angelica root, Moroccan coriander seed, grapefruit peel and cardamom pods. The 46 per cent ABV gin was developed with distillation expert Dr David Clutton and a panel of drinks specialists, writers and mixologists. It will be distributed through BBR and Inspirit Brands, focusing on the on-trade.

Shortlist announced for bar design awards

The finalists in the 2010 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards have been announced in the run-up to the awards night in east London in June. Categories include best independent bar and club, where the shortlist features The Parlour, Profile, Circus and Liquidnation in London, Lucky 7 in Glasgow and The Cut in Newcastle. Finalists in the multiple bar or club category are Big Chill Bar in Bristol, the Westgate in Bath, Green’s and Bangalore Express bar in London, Baa Bar in Liverpool and Popolo in Sheffield. Other categories include best restaurant, best café, best hotel bar or restaurant, best lighting scheme and best international bar. Click here for the full shortlist.
www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com.

Diageo and CCE in mixed drinks drive

A new on-trade marketing campaign to promote a perfect serve for mixed drinks launches next month as part of a new partnership between Diageo GB and Coca-Cola Enterprises. Consumers are being encouraged to demand a perfect serve of Gordon’s and Schweppes Tonic, Pimm’s and Schwepps Lemonade, Smirnoff and Coca-Cola and Bell’s and Coca-Cola in tall glasses with plenty of ice. The activity, under the line “Always Better Together”, will run in over 10,000 bars, clubs and pubs, with CCE and Diageo GB providing training, point-of-sale materials and 12oz co-branded glasses.

S&N Pub Company offers bar boosters

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company has announced the launch of an initiative, to be named Bar Boosters, which is aimed at helping tenants to drive additional revenues, according to today’s industry newsletter from Astaire Securities.  S&NPC has established partnerships with a range of third parties including flower wholesalers, dry cleaners and party planners to provide tenants with additional revenue streams.  The company believes the programme should be able to add between £1,000 and £10,000 to the bottom line of participating pubs.

New recipe for Sailor Jerry

Sailor Jerry Spiced rum has been relaunched with a new recipe that makes the spirit more rounded and slightly less sweet. The packaging has also been revised, with a simpler label that is said to reflect the “no-nonsense and straight-talking attitude” of tattooist Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins.

Like-for-like sales improve at Whitbread

Pub and restaurant operator Whitbread has reported like-for-like sales growth across all its businesses for the three months to February 18. Its pub restaurants were up 1.3 per cent and its hotels and restaurants were up 1.5 per cent. With Costa reporting a 9.5 per cent increase, total like-for-like sales growth was three per cent. Although total like-for-like sales for the 51 weeks to February 18 were still down 0.7 per cent, chief executive Alan Parker described the figures as “robust”. The group has also announced that Andy Harrison, currently chief executive of budget airline Easyjet, will take over as chief executive after Parker retires in November. He will join in September as chief executive designate. Before joining Easyjet, he spent nine years as chief executive of RAC.

Restaurant Group plans pubs expansion

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is looking to expand its portfolio of pub restaurants after the success of a programme to reposition its existing estate to less formal dining. “Currently, we expect to open between two and three new pub restaurants in 2010 and, as we have previously indicated, we believe that further opportunities to accelerate the growth of our pub restaurant business will arise in the future,” said chief executive Andrew Page. TRG, which also operates Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s, reported a two per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £50million for the year to December 27, with a five per cent increase in turnover to £436million.

Fentimans adds new soft drinks

Fentimans has added two new botanically brewed soft drinks to its range: Smooth Lemonade and Cool Ginger Beer, both in 275ml servings. They are an alternative to the popular Victorian Lemonade and Traditional Ginger Beer. “The additional organic pear and apple juice adds an almost honey-like flavour to the lemonade and the less concentrated ginger in the ginger beer results in a cooler ginger beer,” explains managing director and master brewer Eldon Robson.

M&B finance director quits

Jeremy Townsend has resigned as finance director of pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers after two years at the group. He is joining pest control group Rentokil as chief financial officer but will continue at M&B for up to six months until a replacement has been found.

New brewers agreed for Tetley’s beers

Carlsberg UK has agreed a deal for its Tetley’s cask ale to be brewed in Wolverhampton by Marston’s when its Leeds brewery closes next year. It has also secured a deal for Tetley’s Smoothflow to be brewed by Molson Coors at its Tadcaster brewery from next year, adding that this ensures that “the majority of Tetley’s production will stay in Yorkshire”.

Deadline looms for contesting rates

Licensees and bar owners are being warned that they have less than a month left if they want to challenge the business rates that they have been paying over the past five years. Any business owner who believes they have been charged too much for their rates since the last revaluation in 2005 have until March 31 to appeal. The Forum of Private Business has urged bosses not to miss out as, if their appeal is successful, they could receive rebates worth thousands of pounds. For more information, visit www.fpb.org.

Irish brewer seeks English distributor

Hilden Brewery, Ireland’s oldest independent brewery, is seeking distributors in England to help it build on the success it has enjoyed from supplying JD Wetherspoon and freehouses over the past five years. The company is supporting the move by making a significant investment in increasing its brewing capacity. It follows a distribution deal with Dublin-based California Wine Imports that has led to Hilden’s kegs and bottled ales being sold in many of the Irish Republic’s top bars.

Chef helps raise cash for Hospitality Action

More than £13,000 was raised for industry charity Hospitality Action at a fundraising dinner hosted by award-winning chef Cyrus Todiwala. Over 100 guests enjoyed a Goan feast, plus an auction, at Café Spice Namasté in east London last week as part of the Hotelympia exhibition at ExCel in London Docklands.

March 8, 2010

News round-up February 22-March 1:
3D Entertainment, Luminar, Ocean Spray, Monster, Suntory, Heineken, Carlsberg, BII, molecular mixology

Break-up of club and bar operator

3D Entertainment Group, the bar and club operator that runs Chicago Rock Café, has gone into administration, with most of its venues sold to US private equity firm Sun Capital Partners. 3DE was formed in 2007 when it was spun out of club operator Luminar, which continued to control 49 per cent of the business. Sun Capital Partners has acquired 31 of 3DE’s portfolio of about 50 sites and will operate them through a new company, Atmosphere Bars & Clubs. It is believed that another 12 of 3DE’s sites are being sold to JD Wetherspoon, leaving a handful to be sold by restructuring specialist Zolfo Cooper. Paul Daccus, principal of Sun European Partners, the European adviser to Sun Capital, said the deal would save 730 jobs. “This is a good business, which has suffered from unprecedented economic conditions.” Luminar’s operational trading results will not be affected by the administration of 3DE and it will not face any liabilities over property leases.

Luminar chief executive stands down

Steve Thomas has stood down as chief executive of Luminar 22 years after setting up the company. He handed over the role last week to Simon Douglas, the former chief executive of music retailer Zavvi. Thomas will continue with the company until the end of July to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

New drive for Ocean Spray and Monster

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has announced a new on-trade push for its Monster energy brand and Ocean Spray fruit juices. After becoming official distributor for Ocean Spray last month, CCE is relaunching the brand today (March 1) to broaden its appeal and strengthen distribution in bars and pubs, backed by a £7million media campaign and new packaging. With a new blueberry variant being introduced into the UK, it will be driving sales as a mixer with spirits and for adult straight soft drinks. CCE has also launched two new variants for its Monster brand in the on-trade. Monster Export, based on Monster Original, and Monster Ripper, mixed with tropical fruits, are available in a new 250ml can, complementing the existing 500ml cans. It is supported by point-of-sale materials and a broader media campaign, positioned as a mainstream party brand alongside CCE’s edgier Relentless.

Japan triumphs in global whisky awards

Japanese drinks group Suntory beat whisky producers from Scotland, Ireland and North America to be named distiller of the year at the Icons of Whisky awards at the Whisky Live show in London on Friday. Other winners included Woodford Reserve for brand innovator, Gerry Tosh of Highland Park for brand ambassador, and Peter Currie of Springbank for young brand ambassador. Suntory also triumped in the World Whiskies Awards on Friday, winning best blended whisky for its Hibiki 21 Years Old. Another Japanese whisky, Taketsuru 21 Year Old from Nikka Distilling Company, won best blended malt whisky. Other winners included best American whiskey Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof and best whisky liqueur Wild Turkey American Honey.

Revenue up at Heineken despite volume fall

Dutch brewing giant Heineken, whose brands include John Smith’s and Bulmers, has reported an increase in global revenues and net profit but warned that it expects beer consumption to continue falling. It said that, in the UK, it “significantly” outperformed the beer market which fell by 4.2 per cent, with Foster’s growing by 2.6 per cent on the back of a new marketing campaign. Globally, beer volumes fell by 1.5 per cent on the year before but revenues were up 2.7 per cent to €14.7billion, mainly because of price rises. Net profit was up 4.1 per cent to €1.05billion (£940million). Chairman Jean-François van Boxmeer said: “The global economic environment will continue to lead to lower beer consumption and down-trading in a number of regions in 2010.”

Carlsberg more than triples profits

Increased prices and cost-cutting helped Danish brewer Carlsberg to more than triple its profits in the three months to December 31 last year. It rose from 111million kroner (£13.3million) to 383million kroner (£45.9million) although sales fell from 14.52billion kroner (£1.74billion) to 13.62billion kroner (£1.63billion). With brands including Kronenbourg and Tuborg, Carlsberg said it would increase investment in brands and channel marketing in 2010.

New chairman at BII Scotland

BII Scotland has appointed Kenny Mitchell of Glasgow-based training and events business KMT Services as chairman. He has been working in the licensed trade for over 30 years, advising and training staff throughout the UK. He was voted onto the new council along with other members at a meeting at Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery last week, taking over from Donald McLauchlan who has been chairman for four years.

Molecular mixology masterclass in Edinburgh

Leading mixologist Nick Wykes, director of consultancy IPBartenders, will be in Edinburgh next week for a Molecular Masterclass for bartenders. He is running the session at Tonic in North Castle Street on Tuesday March 9 from 2.30pm to 5pm. He will cover spherification (colloids), emulsification (suspensions), hydrosols, foams and other molecular techniques along with the theory of how we process information, how different ingredients work on a molecular level and how to manipulate flavours and experiences with practical demos of each. The session will highlight spirits such as Babicka Vodka, Boca Loca cachaça, Ceylon Arrack, Skipper Rum and Mahiki Rum. To attend, contact Emma Davis on emma@rocklandbrands.com.

March 1, 2010

News round-up February 15-22, 2010:
Townhouse, Ithaca, 42Below, BII, Pernod Ricard, Brewdog, London Town, Millennium & Copthorne, Regent Inns

Legendary Townhouse bar closed for good

Townhouse, the west London bar where the Porn Star Martini (pictured) was born, has closed permanently instead of reopening after a refurbishment at the end of January. In a message on Facebook, it announced: “It is with a bitter and heavy heart that I am telling you all Townhouse is never to open again. The journey has been fun and the ending complicated.” The Knightsbridge bar was opened in 2002 by mixologist Douglas Ankrah and, with its sister bar Lab in Soho, was taken over by new management last summer. Lab bar remains open but currently has a temporary sign outside showing a name change to Academy.

Belfast bartenders win 42Below competition

A team from Belfast are off to New Zealand next month after winning the UK leg of the 42Below Cocktail World Cup. Hayden Lambert and Lisa McCarron from the Merchant Hotel triumphed at a competition at Shoreditch House last month, impressing judges including chef Raymond Blanc and top bartenders Peter Dorelli and Kevin Armstrong. Their winning cocktail was Catch 42, made with 42Below plus tomato extract, passion fruit puree, lime juice, sugar and salt, all clarified to create a cocktail that retains its flavour but is completely clear. The west London team – James Wynn-William from Trailer Happiness and Stuart Fritz and Danny Winter from Lab – will also be going to the finals in New Zealand after winning the “wild card” for their marketing ideas.

Top Manchester bar to close

Award-winning Manchester bar and restaurant Ithaca is to close after going into voluntary liquidation. It was due to be relaunched by a new management team but the snow and freezing conditions in January devastated trade. Ithaca was opened by Arnie Hira and his brother Manoj in 2008 and became one of the top luxury venues in the city. A spokesman for the company said there were plans to relaunch the brand “on a smaller scale” in Cheshire next year.

Business-building guidance at BII events

The BII is running events in Edinburgh and Llangollen on Tuesday, with speakers providing business-building tips for owners, managers and staff of bars, pubs, clubs and hotels. BII Scotland is holding its annual general meeting followed by its annual curry and Deuchars night at the Caledonian Brewery. The guest speaker is Alan Jones, director of Host Academy for Glasgow-based bar and club operator G1 Group. The BII Wales event on Tuesday morning features its AGM and a lunch. The speakers will be rating expert Michael Yass from property consultant Fleurets and industry consultant Phil Dixon. For information and tickets, call Tim Palmer on 01202 242714 or 07771 560922.

Search for operator of London’s highest bar

An operator is being sought to run the new Sky Bar and restaurant at the top of the Heron Tower, which is being built in Bishopsgate in the City of London. At 13,423 square feet, it will be the highest bar in London on the top three floors of the 46-storey building. It will have external terraces and its own lifts accessed via a dedicated entrance. The search for an operator is being led by Heron International, the property group behind the project.

Pubs remain open despite administration

London Town, which owned or managed about 400 pubs, has gone into administration but most of its sites continue to operate. Christie & Co has been instructed by administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers to find buyers for 45 of the pubs. However, the rest are being run under a short-term management contract by the group’s former management arm, London Town Pub Management, which has been sold in a “pre-pack administration” deal to a team including former London Town management such as chief executive Billy Buchanan.

BrewDog regains world’s strongest beer title

Scottish brewer BrewDog has launched a new 41 per cent ABV beer called Sink the Bismarck! to regain the title of the world’s strongest beer. Earlier this month, German brewer Schorschbrau introduced the 40 per cent ABV Schorschbock, snatching the title from Brewdog’s 32 per cent ABV Tactical Nuclear Penguin. Sink the Bismarck! is an IPA, costing £40 a bottle, containing four times the hops of normal IPA and frozen four times to create the strength.

Pernod Ricard predicts growth for 2010

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard continues to forecast growth in organic profit of between one and three per cent for its financial year to the end of June 2010. However, last week it reported that net profits for the half-year to December 31 were down two per cent to €604million while net sales for the period were down 10 per cent to €3.79billion. It expects growth to come from increased investment in strategic brands and markets and the “vitality of emerging markets”. Champagne and wine were worst hit but some premium brands saw growth, including Jameson with seven per cent growth, Absolut at five per cent and Martell at three per cent.

Revenue drop for hotel operator

Millennium & Copthorne, which operates 20 hotels in the UK, has reported a 16.8 per cent drop in full-year revenue to £654million in 2009. Pre-tax profits fell by 31.9 per cent to £81.9million. However, the group, which operates all over the world, said the best performance was in London where revenue per available room fell by only 2.5 per cent.

Punch sells freehold on top London pub theatre

The freehold of the King’s Head pub and theatre in Islington, London, has been bought by Stephanie Sinclaire, the widow of the theatre’s founder and long-serving artistic director Dan Crawford. She said the acquisition from Punch Taverns would be the springboard for a campaign to raise funds to protect and improve the venue, including a second storey to the theatre. The acquisition was handled by law firm Maxwell Winward LLP with bank funding arranged by Christie Finance.

Disposal of ex-Regent Inns sites under way

The leasehold of the former Walkabout bar in Islington has been put on the market through Christie & Co. It is one of nine sites formerly run by Regent Inns which are being handled by Christie & Co after the rest of the business was sold to new operator Intertain. Other sites have been surrendered back to the freeholders or are in advanced stages of negotiation for new leases.

22 February 2010