Celebrating the great British pub

Year-long national promotion will lead to a massive event

A national celebration of all that's great about pubs will be staged next year in London. Called Pub in the Park, the three-day event will showcase pubs' role in the community as well as highlight pub excellence in food, drink and entertainment.

Held in one of London's prestige parks next June, Pub in the Park will attract many thousands of members of the public, including families.

They will be able to sample the pleasures of pub-going

by visiting show pavilions designed as pubs to eat, drink and socialise. And they will be able to enjoy pub games, quizzes and karaoke, as well as hear top bands and other musical entertainment.

In the months leading up to the show, pubs all round the country can get their customers involved in Pub in the Park pool, darts, music and quiz competitions through a series of local and regional heats. The qualifiers will compete for the national title over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the event.

Pub in the Park's organiser Custom Made Events, which has extensive trade experience, has invited the trade's top title Morning Advertiser to be its pub media partner in the unique celebration. One of the national papers and a well-known radio station are close to being signed up as additional media partners.

Trade leaders have welcomed the initiative. Deborah Kemp, managing director of Punch Taverns, said: "This event will be great to showcase all that is good and great about the people who run our pubs and the role they play within their communities."

John Hutson, chief executive of JD Wetherspoon, pledged his support: "JDW is a central part of local communities, bringing benefits to millions of people in their daily life, through social enjoyment or through direct or indirect employment. The event will harness the positive parts that pubs play in their communities, demonstrating the many and varied contributions they make to the lives of people of all ages. There is no better time for us to get behind this initiative."

John Grogan, MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: "The creation of an event that celebrates the fantastic contribution that pubs and bars make within our communities is long overdue."

Ian Payne, chairman of Bay Restaurant Group and Town & City Pub Company added: "This initiative gives every operator the chance to engage with Pub in the Park and at the same time drive custom through the business. We will certainly be supporting the competitions and activities."

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