Smoking ban opens door

to boom in food: Linacre

by Natalie Cooper

As many as 25,000 pubs at the bottom end of the tenanted market could be wiped out when the inevitable smoking ban comes into effect, delegates at a conference called Eating Out have been told. But the ban, while hitting 'one-man pubs' hard, will be a great opportunity for pubs that offer quality food.

After making the 25,000 closures claim, Massive Pub Company chief executive Peter Linacre said, in a panel discussion: 'Food gives you the opportunity to sell something else and is a huge advantage.'

Christian Rose, director of food for Spirit Group, explained: 'Dry pubs are going to be much more resilient to the ban than wet pubs as the biggest profit areas are going to be in food sales.'

Spirit Group has already set its target to double food sales turnover to £1bn by the year 2010.

Rupert Clevely, managing director for Geronimo Inns, said: 'Part of peoples' lives is going to the pub to have a fag and a pint.

'I am worried about that aspect, but if you create the right atmosphere and have the right food offering, pubs have a great future.

'Food has now got to be a given. Design is crucial. We have to keep on reinvesting in our sites.'

Clevely added: 'Customers want friendly, smiley service where the food is simple, tastes good, looks fresh and is presented nicely.' He believes the recipe for success is excellent service and a comfortable, relaxing pub environment.

Food quality is of the utmost importance and consistency is vital. Linacre said: 'Our business is not sexy, but we make sure we provide fresh food in all of our pubs. A customer that has a bad eating experience with one dish will be put off.'

One of the challenges pubs face is in the recruitment of quality chefs. Linacre admitted that Massive had started to recruit chefs from around the world, while Rose explained that Spirit Group held regular forums with chefs who were encouraged to put forward menu suggestions to make them feel a part of the team.