Business Booster

Money Makers: Ideas for driving food and drink sales at your pub

By Jo Bruce

- Last updated on GMT

The new eco-pods come with private en-suite and beverage facilities, flat-screen TV and car parking
The new eco-pods come with private en-suite and beverage facilities, flat-screen TV and car parking

Related tags Pub

Pub Food's focus on event and promotional ideas for your pub

Environmentally friendly en-suite chalet-pods

The Butchers Arms, Knodishall, Suffolk

Websites:www.greenecoliving.co.uk;

www.thebutchersarmssuffolk.co.uk

The idea: ​Installing two eco-friendly chalet-pods to supplement three existing chalets, boosting letting spaces from five to nine guests.

How it works:​ After obtaining planning permission, owner Stewart Fisher and business partner Julian Fenwick have boosted letting spaces at the pub by adding two en-suite chalet-style eco-pods (£12,000). Each of the new pods has private en-suite and beverage facilities, flat-screen TV, private entrance and car parking. Breakfast trays are provided and the pub’s 40-cover restaurant serves food from midday, including covers in its brand-new conservatory. Real ale is a speciality in the well-stocked bar.

Marketing:​ Via pub website. Bookings are received via dedicated email address on the pub website.

Be prepared: ​Always do your homework on planning permission and consult neighbours in advance

Pay-off:​ It is anticipated that the pods will increase annual accommodation income by 50% and push up wet and food sales by 30% each.

Key benefits: ​The new pods are simple to install and favourably regarded for planning permission as they are compact and environmentally friendly. Supplier Green Eco Living helps design the bespoke chalets to suit individual requirements, and has claimed to have developed wall insulation that enables the chalet to be one of the most energy efficient on the market. The 70mm thick injected foam wall insulation also covers the floor and roof, helping to soundproof the room.

Advice: ​Larger versions are available, so it’s wise to consider space and budget carefully.

Best outcome: ​Low investment for potentially high return.

 

Locals’ night

The Blue Bell Inn, Emsworth, Hampshire

Websites:www.bluebellinnemsworth.co.uk​; www.emsworth.org.uk

Twitter:​ @BlueBellEms

The idea: ​Offers locals dining at the community-focused pub 10% discount on food and drink on Sundays from 6.30pm to 9.15pm.

How it works:​ People joining Emsworth Residents’ Association are given a membership card, proving their local postcode. The card is shown at the bar of this Wellington Pub Co lease to gain 10% Sunday evening discount.

Marketing:​ As chair of Emsworth Business Association, Blue Bell tenant Giles Babb encourages the coastal town’s residents to join both the pub and association’s Twitter accounts, where they hear of local deals. The pub’s chalkboards, website, digital newsletter for c400 customers, Facebook and Instagram are also used and the pub now has more than 1,000 Twitter followers.

Be prepared: ​Let customers know it’s first-come, first-served. As it is one of very few pubs in the area serving meals until 9.15pm on Sundays, food at the Blue Bell sometimes sells out.

Pay-off:​ Locals feel listened to, following requests for Sunday night meals. The discount has boosted footfall by c60%.

Key benefits: ​Significantly increased new and repeat trade and loyalty across the week.

Advice: ​Listen to what your customers value.

Best outcome: ​Locals feel rewarded and return for more.

Related topics Marketing

Related news