Beer Matters pub profile: The Carnarvon Arms

It's an indication of the quality of the beer in Mike Stanisforth's Greene King tenancy the Carnarvon Arms, in Teversal, Nottinghamshire, that Cask Marque chose to hold an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the organisation in the pub last year.

Stanisforth says that beer has been massively important in turning the pub around from a dilapidated site when he took over in September 2008 to one that now takes a steady £25,000 a week.

Beer is just one element in his policy of giving customers an all-round excellent experience for which they are prepared to pay a premium. "We were a bit worried when we took the pub on that people in this area would be overly price-conscious, but quality beer is one of the things that has helped turn them round to our offer," he explains.

Although the Carnarvon is food-led, Stanisforth believes: "It is pointless to have good food if you have not got good drinks to back that up."

To that end, he serves three permanently available cask beers - Greene King's IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot - and an unfussy offering of mainstream lagers.

Stocking more than that would be pointless, he says, because this is the optimum number of fonts to ensure throughput, guaranteeing fresh-tasting beer.

Also to maintain this quality, cellar maintenance and scrupulous line cleaning are of paramount importance for the Carnarvon. Beer is promoted simply by its visibility on the attractive bar the pub is fortunate enough to have, but beer and food matching recommendations are also about to be added to the menu.

All part of the experience​

It all adds up to a sense of pride in service that has brought the business success. "I am passionate about getting it right for the customer, for them to have a good experience, as opposed to them being there just to make us lots of money," says Stanisforth. "Sometimes pubs overlook that."

Cask Marque choosing the Carnarvon for its anniversary event was a high point for the pub and its management team, acting as a reward for this attention to its customer service and a mark of approval from beer lovers.

"If our beers had not been up to scratch, we would never have been chosen," Stanisforth says, "and that acted as a big motivation to us to keep getting it right."

Cask Marque members, like all the Carnarvon's customers, felt confident of the pub's beer quality. This factor has led to repeat custom, and has also inspired fans to go to the four other Nottinghamshire pubs that Stanisforth runs with Punch Taverns under the esoteric company name Probably A Pub Company.

Use this first Beer Matters licensee profile as an inspiration and you could be experiencing some of the same success.

The pub

The Carnarvon Arms, Teversal, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

• 60/40 split between food and drink in the overall sales mix

• Greene King tenancy

• DH Lawrence is reputed to have written Lady Chatterley's Lover in the pub