S&NPE helps tenants with events programme

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) has launched an events programme to help its tenants boost business.

The pubco will introduce a new activity every eight weeks with the first three being Nintendo Wii, table football and bingo. It follows the successful trial of poker, which led to a 10% increase in takings in some pubs.

The activities will be free to lessees and they will be able to reserve larger items, such as a football table.

"The high street is full of price led offers but many customers are seeking more than just value," said S&NPE head of marketing Matthew Woodward.

"Importantly, the events are also completely hassle-free and easy for lessees to implement and should quickly make a visible difference to their business. In a difficult trading environment when people have less to spend you have to attract them with extras.

"Back to basics, practical support which drives trade and is focused completely on the needs of the pub is critical."

He added: "Games such as table football tend to have a novelty factor which peaks in the first four weeks before gradually dying off. By having the football tables for a month, lessees will be able to tap into that excitement with tournaments and other events when customers' interest is highest. We can then pass the equipment on, enabling more lessees to benefit."

S&NPE lessee Jo Keegan of the Crown in Richmond said she adds an extra £120 to a typical £700 take on a Sunday night through Wii tournaments. "People are massively competitive but you've got to promote it, I often play alongside the customers and they love it, especially when they beat me," she said