Shout to the top
IF WE are to make Proud of Pubs Week a success, it won't only be about getting some national attention for the industry - it will be about ensuring your pub is the shining star of your own local community.
One way in which we want you to achieve that is by getting the flag-waver for your community - your MP - into your pub on the day we are asking the nation's politicians to drop into their local: Friday, July 13. They might join the locals for a pint, discuss key issues, and create a PR opportunity that can get you into your local newspapers, on the radio and even TV, at just the time when you want to start appealing to new customers.
All 646 MPs - even Tony, when he can find the time - love being seen supporting their local businesses, and standing up for the people who they hope will be voting for them and their party at the next election. If you make a reasoned argument as to why you'd like to see your local MP drop in to your pub on Friday, July 13, you might be surprised by their reaction.
The head of communications at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, Kate Nicholls, says too few MPs actually understand what the pressures of running a businesses are. She urged licensees to grab the opportunity of Proud of Pubs Week.
"Very few politicians have experience running a small business - it can be very helpful if you take them back to the coalface and show them what it's really like," says Kate, who has 15 years' experience of political lobbying, including 10 in the licensed trade.
"This is a great idea as MPs always want to be seen in their community, in businesses which employ and service voters. They have a vested interest - and the average pub employs 15 people," she adds.
Make the most of your MP
And if your MP agrees to come to your pub what can they do for you?
As well as an opportunity to talk about the issues affecting pubs, meeting your MP will give you the chance to point out all the great things going on in the trade, and in your pub - and what Proud of Pubs Week is all about.
The Publican will be printing a sample press release the week before the MPs day to help you to push the message out to your local media.
If there are issues affecting pubs you want to discuss - such as current police pressure to start using polycarbonate glasses, or the fall-out from the smoking ban - make sure you have a clear agenda of two or three things you would like to say, says Kate.
"Do a bit of homework before the meeting, and try to think of some of your own possible solutions to your issues," she advises.
Above all, says Kate, make your meeting constructive and not just an excuse for a rant. "Everyone whinges about legislation and red tape, but as well as the local and national issues, it's good to highlight the positive issues that MPs might be able to do something about."
Realistically there are three ways that MPs can take issues forward, following the meeting:
- They can be asked to write a letter to the minister on your behalf. This is likely to be most effective if the MP is a Labour MP
- They can be encouraged to table a Parliamentary question on your behalf
- They can be asked to table an adjournment debate - a half-hour debate introduced by a backbencher at the end of each day's business in the Commons.
John Grogan, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and Labour MP for Selby, has pointed out: "Proud of Pubs Week is ideally timed to demonstrate to the world that there is life for pubs after the smoking ban. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest and the plan for publicans to invite MPs into their locals on Friday is a very good one."
If we can get enough MPs into pubs on the day, it will help put Proud of Pubs Week, and all the great things about pubs, on both the national, as well as the local, agenda. Over to you.
What to do...
Use the letter to the right as a template for your own letter or email to your MP, inviting them to your pub on Friday, July 13.
If you choose to use this letter, there is a space at the top to write in your own pub name and address. If you are writing your own letter, keep it short and factual, but friendly.
Visit www.locata.co.uk/commons if you are unsure of the identity of your local MP, or ring the House of Commons information office on 020 7219 4272.
You should then write to your MP at:
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Don't forget to tell The Publican if you are inviting your local MP to your pub on this day…and if they agree to attend!
Don't forget all the other activities in Proud of Pubs Week
Monday - Put out a questionnaire to your community
Tuesday - Put on a Proud of Pubs Night in your pub
Wednesday - Audit your pub and make sure you are at the top of your game
Thursday - Are you Proud of your People? Tell them, tell the pub…then tell The Publican.
For more details call 020 7955 3710
To register your interest in the week, email proudofpubs@thepublican.com or call the number above.
We're Proud of Pubs. Are you?
