EPoS helps Priory from strength to strength

Pub: The Priory Arms, Stockwell, London​

Licensee: Graham Bulpett​

Technology: 1 x J2 520 touchscreen till with standard cash drawer​

1 x Epson TM-T88IV printer​

Mission software​

For the past six months, the fortunes of the Priory Arms have been in the hands of its new owner, seasoned publican Graham Bulpett. Prior to that, Graham was managing the pub through what was a difficult period.

As he explains: "The Priory Arms has been a community local here in Stockwell for many years. It had done very well until two years ago when trade dropped off due to a change of ownership and a local college closing down."

During his six-month stint as manager, Graham was ideally placed to observe the business from the inside. Trade was clearly picking up and he could see that the Priory Arms had potential.

"It needed TLC," he says."As its owner, the pub offered me a good quality of life, with nice accommodation and nice clientele, and located in an oasis in the middle of Stockwell. I could see it had a lot going for it."

Graham's plans include taking the building - and the business - back to a shell and starting again to realise its potential. As such, he was an ideal candidate for the 'Sell More, Save More' campaign. "The timing was wonderful," he comments. "Being sponsored now couldn't be better."

At the time of purchase, the pub came with just a single cash register, which Graham describes as working to a degree but programmed by someone who didn't understand pubs. "I'd already decided I needed technology in order to get more information out of my business, but the system I have today has by far surpassed my expectations."

Graham had worked with EPoS systems in a pub career spanning 15 years, but couldn't be more positive about his new software and hardware from Mission and J2 Retail Systems. "I've never worked with a system that is so simple to use and understand. Whoever programmed it clearly has a fantastic knowledge of pubs."

Even as the system was being installed, Graham could see this would be the big lift that his business needed. "I knew this would lift us up from being a back-street boozer to a business that means business!

Staff have reacted really well, taking to the training like ducks to water: "The colour-coded touchscreen buttons take you straight to the product, then it's on to the next customer."

As Graham pulls off his reports everyday, he shares them with his eight employees so they can become more involved in the business. "We learn a lot from our reports and they help us to keep a tight check on food and drink sales and to improve ordering."

Graham also believes the system is helping him to employ better quality staff. He has noticed that, when he demonstrates the system and all it does, it shows he means business.

And it's not only staff that have noticed a difference. "The customers are sharp. They can see that this system is an uplift and it says something about the place."

Food sales are a big part of the pub's success and it offers a daily-changing menu. The team can now input everything off the menu onto the till in minutes every day.

"What I like most is that the system eliminates mistakes. Now we always get the orders right, which saves time and energy." With 80 roasts being served on Sunday, it's a real plus to have orders entered faultlessly and sent directly through to the kitchen printer.

When asked if the system has been reliable, Graham comments that it is foolproof. If it ever needs to correct itself, it's hardly noticeable as it shuts itself down and restarts in 30 seconds.

"The credit crunch is proving a challenge for us as it is for everyone. We've had to take a step back before we can step forward, but our new system has given the business a real shine. There's no doubt that technology has given us a massive safety net."