No beef about Wellington

The Business and Enterprise Committee Report into the so-called pubcos and the way in which they treat their tenants was critical of most of the big groups. But Peter Luff, the committee’s chairman, made an exception of the Wellington Pub Company, an 850-pub business controlled by the Reuben brothers. Mr Luff said it was “striking how few problems we encountered with Wellington”. It is probably no coincidence that Wellington runs a free-of-tie business model, letting tenants buy their beer where they like.

Bring a dog to the diner day

The restaurant industry’s trading woes have spawned a tidal wave of promotions, although most operators appear to have thought no further than the ubiquitous two-for-one offer. But American restaurateurs seem a bit more creative. On a recent visit Stateside, Peter Backman, managing director of Horizons, the foodservice consultancy, found a wealth of imaginative promotions, such as a “doggy bagel” for $1, aimed at pet owners, and two-for-one deals involving a meal in the restaurant and getting a second to take home. Mr Backman claims that the recession means Americans “seem to be choosing more modest meals out”. Now that I find very hard to believe.

It’s thirsty work, for all of us

Scottish & Newcastle UK, part of Heineken, has launched a new multimillion-pound television advertising campaign for Strongbow cider. The ad is a celebration of Britain’s workers, who are depicted in their thousands being encouraged, Braveheart-style, to seek refreshment as a reward for their hard graft. For most viewers, the ad will be seen during Wednesday’s Champions League final, although there is surely an irony in celebrating Britain’s “grafters” in a programme featuring millionaires throwing themselves to the turf and writhing in agony.

Play up and play the game

A fascinating new book is to be published entitled Played in the Pub: The Pub Games of Britain. As more and more of our boozers are converted into glorified (but mostly inglorious) restaurants, it is a relief to know that traditional games, such as pitching and tossing and dwile flunking, are still going strong. Relics of a bygone age? Not so, Mr Taylor says. “The pub games of Britain live on.”

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