Publican Local Focus: Derby winners
Derby always been renowned for its ale - and thankfully this tradition shows no sign of dying out among its current licensees.
The city boasts 12 entries in this year's Good Beer Guide - with a number of these pubs featuring their own on-site brewery.
One shining example is the Brunswick Inn, where licensee Graham Yates, a brewer by profession, produces around half-a-dozen of his own Brunswick ales, which he serves to "grumpy old men" at the Everards-owned pub.
Lager drinkers are not made to feel particularly welcome, Graham jokes. And an annual beer festival sees around 50 brews served up in a backroom he refers to as a "cathedral of beer".
There's no shortage of characters on Derby's pub scene. But like the rest of the country, the city has caught a recessionary cold from which it has yet to recover. The once famous pub crawl 'the Derby Mile' is now a shadow of its former self. Drinkers used to take in more than 10 pubs as they made their way into the city centre. But it's telling that the route's original first pub, the Derbyshire Yeoman, has long been replaced by a McDonald's - while one of the last is now a Revolution bar.
Many licensees in the city blame the usual suspects - the smoking ban and the supermarkets - for their woes. Dave Lalor, at the Station Inn, suggests it's the combined effect of the two that has made things difficult. "People are now having parties in their home on a Friday or Saturday night where they're free to do what they want," he says. Dave also points to the opening of a new Wetherspoons - the third in the city centre - which he says has affected his business. "Everybody is price-sensitive at the moment, so we can't compete with them," he says.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for Dave. He claims Derby has survived the recession better than other cities, because of major investment in its infrastructure during the worst of the downturn.
"We've had the Westfield Centre (containing around 190 shops), new roads and a new hotel open, so I don't think we've been hit as badly," says Dave.
The Westfield Centre, previously the Eagle Centre before it expanded in 2007, has brought new shoppers flocking into the city, which has had a positive effect for many pubs.
Meanwhile, like many other UK towns and cities, Derby has also had its fair share of alcohol-related problems. In the summer of 2009, a campaign was launched in Derby to target teenage "binge-drinkers".
But during The Publican's whistle-stop tour of the city, many pubs seemed to be adopting the favoured off-trade scheme of Challenge 25, as opposed to Challenge 21. And Dave, who is chairman of Derby Pubwatch, is convinced that Challenge 25 will become the norm for the industry nationwide in time. "Young people these days can look a lot older than they are, so it makes sense," says Dave. "It's been very effective."
• Next stop: Bristol. If you would like us to visit your pub email news@thepublican.com
Steph Briggs runs freehouse the Falstaff, with her partner Jim Hallows, in Normanton, just outside the city centre. They started their own brewery on site, when they took the pub on in 2003
How much will a drink cost me?
A Fistful of Hops (pint) is £2.20, Phoenix is £2.30 and Smiling Assassin £2.50. Carling is £2.60, Stella £2.80. A 125ml glass of wine is £2, a 250ml bottle is £2.50. Coke is £1.10. A Bell's and Coke is £1.95.
Do you do food?
We don't have a kitchen but we let people bring their own food in or order takeaway.
Who are your customers?
18 to 80-year-olds. Real ale drinkers, but also lager drinkers. We get a lot of tourists too - and beer tickers come from all over the country to see us.
What attracts people?
The brewery is an attraction - and what brings people back is the atmosphere. We are very friendly and have regulars who welcome people in, which visitors comment on.
What are the issues affecting trade in Derby?
The smoking ban has had a huge impact, people don't stay as long now. The supermarkets - I don't understand morally how they can sell alcohol at that price. The Westfield Centre has also brought shoppers here. And it's good the council recognises the pubs as a tourist attraction.
Dave Lalor is lessee at the Enterprise Inns-owned Station Inn, where he has been in charge for the last 25 years. He is also chairman of Derby City Pubwatch
How much will a drink cost me?
Deuchars is £2.90, Pedigree £3, Worthington Best £2.90. Carling is £3, Stella is £3.30, Strongbow is £3.20. A glass of white wine (175ml) is £2.60. A Coke is £1.20.
Do you do food?
No. But we'll make up a sandwich for any customer who wants one.
Who are your customers?
We get a lot of people from the rail industry, from those who work in the offices to those who work on the lines. We also have our regulars and a good bit of passing trade.
What attracts people to your pub?
The standard of cleanliness and the quality of our beers. We are a nice, safe, traditional pub for people to enjoy a drink in.
What are the issues affecting trade in Derby?
The smoking ban is still a big factor, as is the price of alcohol in the supermarkets. The new Wetherspoons in town has affected us too because of the cheap prices.
Graham Yates is tenant at the Everards-owned Brunswick Inn, close to Derby Midland railway station. He brews his own beers at the independent Brunswick brewery attached to the pub.
How much will a drink cost me?
A pint of Brunswick White Feather is £1.90 a pint, Black Sabbath is £2.70 a pint. Everards Beacon is £2.30 a pint, Pedigree £2.70 and Budvar £3.20. Coke is £2.20 a pint.
Do you do food?
Yes, we've expanded our food offer recently. Chilli and chips (£3.50) is popular. Sunday lunch is also a draw - two courses are £5.95, while three courses are £7.45.
Who are your customers?
Grumpy old men, they make up around 85 per cent of customers. We do get some women but they tend to be real ale drinkers.
What attracts people?
The beer and the ambience. We don't have a jukebox or a pool table. People come here to have a chat and discuss anything they like. Our beer festival is always popular too.
What are the issues affecting trade in Derby?
The smoking ban has affected us. The general recession has also meant people are coming out less frequently. A lot of people are worried about losing their job, but I think their perception is worse than the reality.
Jim Harris is lessee at Enterprise Inns-owned Ye Olde Dolphin Inn, the oldest surviving pub in the city centre and a tourist magnet
How much will a drink cost me?
A pint of Deuchars is £2.85, Black Sheep £2.75, Bass £2.75, Pedigree £2.85. Stella is £3.25 a pint, Strongbow £3.40. A house wine, 175ml, is £3.10. Pepsi is £2.
Do you do food?
Yes, lots of pub classics. Ham and eggs is £6.20. Homemade pie of the day, £6.25. Fish of the day, £6.70. An all-day breakfast is £6.30.
Who are your customers?
We have a very broad spectrum.
As we're open 14 hours a day it changes throughout the day. We get locals, shoppers, tourists, business people. We also get the odd famous person, like Ray Davies and Paul Heaton.
What attracts people?
Our customers enjoy the fabric of
