JDW varies range with global beers
by The PMA Team Managed operator JD Wether-spoon has launched a range of "global beers" in an attempt to "add interest" for its customers. And the company plans to open all its outlets at 10am on Sundays after the success of its breakfast offering the rest of the week. JDW has begun selling Leffe in a branded glass (£1.99), Budweiser Budvar (£1.89), Michelob Ultra (£1.49), Corona Extra (£1.19) and San Miguel (£1.09). It is also selling bottles of Becks and Stella Artois for £1.19 and £1.09 respectively. Managing director John Hutson said: "As with our spirits range, we're trying to provide not just high standards and value but also interest for our customers in our own way, we're trying to shake up [the offer] a little bit." Hutson added that items such as bottled Stella at £1.09 helped attract customers away from the off-licence sector. "For an extra 10p or 15p people can come in and enjoy the same thing in a warm pub atmosphere," he said. The company is also selling WKD Silver for 99p throughout October and Archer's Aqua Exotic Passion exclusively for £1.59. "We do try to develop long-term relationships with our suppliers we don't want to see RTDs withering on the vine," said Hutson. The 630-pub estate is gearing up for a 10am start on Sundays from 2 November. The company already opens at 10am the rest of the week after starting its breakfast menu in September 2002. Hutson said: "Saturday breakfast business is already pretty good with lots of families and shoppers, and Sunday is a very similar day." JDW is currently selling about 40,000 breakfasts a week after what chairman Tim Martin called a "slow start". A beer and burger offer, providing a 6oz burger with chips and a pint for £3.29 after 2pm, is also now being offered nationally. "It is the first time that is being offered nationally it is very popular," said Hutson. Wetherspoon eyes chilled glasses JD Wetherspoon is considering using chilled glasses after a letter from a customer. London resident Anne Seadon told the company that her drinks are often served in a "piping-hot glass straight from the dishwasher". Company chairman Tim Martin, responding before he began his recent six-months unpaid sabbatical, said: "Maybe we could look at chilled glasses, but it would take up a lot of space behind the bar and probably require an expensive redesign of our pubs. Chilled glasses are groovy, though, so we'll chew on the idea.
