Sheps freezes beer prices for tenants until 2011
Shepherd Neame is freezing prices on its beer products for more than a year as part of a major new support package for tenants, The Publican can reveal.
The deal will see prices on all its ales and lagers frozen until at least January 2011.
George Barnes, tenanted trade and property director at the Kent brewer, said the deal was not a reaction to the recession but instead a way of supporting and attracting the best new tenants to the company.
He told The Publican: "We have been looking at the overall market and seeing how we can make a difference and how we can attract the best tenants out there.
"We believe this package will go some way to achieving that."
The deal also includes a range of seasonal beers being made exclusively available to tenants and managed houses, three annual beer festivals with tenants being able to buy from other selected breweries, and a web to print package to give tenants marketing support.
The company is also committing to match investment made by tenants of up to £25,000 and introduce a property helpdesk for queries on issues such as maintenance.
The latter followed an independent survey of the estate which revealed tenants wanted more support in this area.
Barnes added: "The results of an independent survey of our tenants have confirmed what we already knew - that we have outstanding pubs, great people, and a good tenancy agreement which offers flexibility and the personal touch.
"Our licensees have rated our business development managers the best in the business and we offer relevant, well conducted training.
"Most importantly, we've identified areas which need improvement and we're responding to these with real solutions to help our licensees prosper and take advantage of opportunities arising in the market."
He added he was pleased with the way the 315 tenancies had been trading in recent months.
"It is a difficult market but I have been encouraged by trading and by the quality of recently recruited tenants," he said.
Chris Maclean, tenant the Railway Hotel in Faversham, welcomed the support.
"This is all very positive and hopefully they will continue to look at ways of supporting tenants."
