Shepherd Neame drinks price deal for hosts

Kent brewer Shepherd Neame is offering its tenants the chance to sell cut-price drinks if they agree to take a hit on margins.

Sheps has written to its tenants offering them an extra discount on Master Brew bitter, Oranjeboom lager and Coca-Cola if they agree to sell it at a 48% gross profit margin.

Licensees will have to sell Master Brew bitter at £2.30 a pint, Oranjeboom lager at £2.45 a pint and £1.30 for a 16-oz glass of Coca-cola at £1.30. The scheme will run for seven weeks from the beginning of February.

Tenanted trade director George Barnes said: "Hopefully it will enable licensees wishing to participate to have the chance to offer customers a good price during the quieter trading time."

Barnes hopes around 40-50% of its tenanted pubs will take on the offer.

Licensee David Pott, of Faversham's Market Inn said: "It is exciting to be able to offer customers our most popular beer and lager at a discounted price, especially as it will run during traditionally quiet trading weeks.

"This is a popular PR exercise for both participating licensees and Sheps."