S&NPE to offer beer quality training to lessees

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) is offering beer quality training to all its new lessees, following a six month pilot scheme.

During the trial period, advisors Peter Drew and Derek Ferguson, made 214 visits to trainees attending the Innside Knowledge Induction programme and to existing lessees in need of advice on beer quality.

They now expect to work with 400 lessees over the coming year and to have covered a quarter of the pubco's 2,200 strong estate by the start of 2010.

According to the pubco, it is the first leased pub company to offer one-to-one beer quality training to lessees and to provide it from a pub retailing rather than a brewing perspective.

Edward Theakston, S&NPE drinks quality manager, said: "We know that attending beer quality training increases lessees' beer and lager sales by an average of three per cent and that a simple cellar improvement project can boost sales by up to 12 per cent.

"We are delighted now to be able to offer similar beer quality support to lessees at the earliest possible stage in their partnerships with us and in their own pubs."

S&NPE training manager Michael Soderquest added: "During the consultations our advisors can ensure that everything affecting beer quality is right and that the lessees and their staff have the understanding and expertise they need to deliver excellent pints, giving them a real competitive advantage over the off trade."