Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis, licensee, the Moat House in Stafford
Corporate goal for the year?
To maintain consistent profit growth in an increasingly-competitive local market by focusing on cost control and becoming a more environmentally-friendly operation.
Any opportunity to grow your business?
We have identified an opportunity to increase profit streams from the special occasions and corporate-event market by investing in a comprehensive re-development of our courtyard garden.
By doing this we are also aiming to reduce costs by installing a rainwater harvesting solution, which will be used for all toilet flushing and thereby reduce water bills.
Further growth has been identified in the diversification into a food and beverage-based retail operation, increasing the business portfolio with the opening of a deli specialising in the sale of local produce and takeaway food and drink. The operation also increases our capability for off-site catering and event hospitality.
If there is a downturn in the economy, how bad is it going to get?
I believe the economy may see a downturn in specific markets, such as property, but after a buoyant recent history, the general economy will witness more of a levelling out, rather than a significant fall.
While the uncertainty over the economy hangs over our heads, the leisure industry may witness a slight slowdown for the first half of the year, but once consumer confidence is regained I'm confident we will see our pubs and restaurants full once again in time for the lucrative summer season.
Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?
For the leisure industry the light at the end of the tunnel is an increase in overseas tourists. With global events affecting the UK tourism market over the last five years I think overseas tourists will once again return to the UK in greater numbers, and the work Visit Britain, the regional Destination Management Partnerships, the Olympics (2012) and Commonwealth Games (2014) are doing to market the UK abroad will begin to pay off.
If political pressure increases what's our best form of defence?
The 10% of the drinks industry that has embraced responsible alcohol retailing as the business model for their licensed operation has little to fear from the impending political pressure.
As a Responsible Drinks Retailing award winner in 2005, we have continued to trade with professionalism; we have a commitment to training and maintaining good working relationships with all the relevant authorities, which will continue to be our defence under increasing social and political pressure. As a leader in RDR, we need to help the other 90% to adopt the same professional approach.
Biggest challenge your business faces?
Creating a positive mental attitude towards the industry. With daily negative media coverage focusing political pressure on the drinks industry, a failing economy and climate change, businesses can't be blamed for having a gloomy perspective for the future. It is now as an industry that we have to focus on the positives and on our own market - and, more importantly, focus on our own customers.
Personal goal for the year?
After a hectic personal and professional year, it is my personal goal to find time to regain my fitness - starting with fixing the puncture on my mountain bike and riding it.
Favourite quotation or business adage?
If you always do what you have always done, you'll always get what you always got.
