How can pubs prepare to reopen in 2021?

From drinks offers, preparing staff and ensuring venues are clean and safe, no stone has been left unchecked.

Here are some topline hints to get started and for further help and materials, click here​ for free advice and assistance.

Squeaky clean hygiene

A key consideration for consumers is how safe venues are to visit upon reopening with expectations for this including hand sanitiser stations, social distancing measures in place, contactless payment and enhanced cleaning and hygiene procedures.

Keep it brewtiful and get ready to sell beer

Ensuring lines are clean ahead of topening will mean beer will be served at the highest quality, keeping customers coming back for more.

When pubs reopening last summer, Guinness sold 263 pints sold per minute.

Follow the 7C’s outlined in the video above to find out how to pour great quality Guinness and if any further assistance is required, email radhvevrf@qvntrbgenqr.pb.hx​ or call 0845 751 5101 to arrange a visit from a Guinness quality executive.

Team work makes the dream work

An essential starting point is ensuring everyone is up to scratch on the latest guidance and allowing them to brush up on their skills will help put them in great stead to reopen with confidence.

Bringing the spirit of hospitality

From staff to the back bar, spirits can help boost operators’ bottom line and provide customers with that all-important on-trade experience they will have missed.

Stocking bestsellers such as Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum, Smirnoff and Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin will give a good starting point.

By expanding to include some premium options as well, like Tanqueray, provides an opportunity for customers to trade up and keep the tills ringing.

Get social and drive bookings

Operators can tell their customers about the drinks on offer ahead of reopening by using social media to their advantage.

Advertising deals at the point of booking alongside updates on what’s going on at venues can be a great way to engage with existing and new customers in preparation of getting them to a table at the venue.

2021 drinks trends

Cocktails will continue to be key upon reopening and into the months beyond. The category was growing rapidly before the pandemic hit and it shows no signs of slowing.

The warmer months of 2020 also saw spirit variants grow faster than their non-flavoured counterparts, particularly in gin but also in vodka and rum – another trend operators should keep an eye on this year.

Summer, summer, summer time

When it comes to summer, there are a plethora of opportunities operators can get their teeth stuck into.

Spritz serves is now the second fastest growing cocktail style and third most popular in pubs – an ideal chance to boost spirits serves in the early evening ‘Aperitivo’ moment.

Keeping it classic with a Pimm’s or putting a slight twist on a G&T by serving a Gordon’s Pink Spritz are simple yet effective ways to capitalise on this.

Shaken or stirred

Cocktails are a great way to increase spend in venue while providing a top-quality drink and draught cocktails is a sub category, which is also on the up.

Using draught allows teams to provide top-end products while saving time on serving, meaning they can concentrate on enhancing customer experiences.

Pairing these two trends can mean customers receive high-quality drinks alongside top notch service, a winning combination for operators and consumers alike.