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In a
week that saw HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, urging the
rural affairs minister to save Britain's pubs and the licensing
minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, seemingly critical of an alcohol tax hike,
thousands of publicans flooded through the doors of Publican Live at
London's Olympia thirsty for inspiration, innovation and education
from the industry's leading voices.
As the UK's
largest and busiest exhibition dedicated to the pub trade, the three
day event returned on the 1st April for its 11th year offering
future-proofing business solutions to help the licensed trade not
just survive but thrive in difficult retail conditions.
Show
director, Chris Down, says: "Publican Live has really proven
itself as an event you can't afford to miss if you're serious about
your business. It was clear that our visitors this year were
particularly proactive about making the right kind of changes to
boost trade in their outlets as our educational seminars attracted
their largest crowds to date. We now look forward to building on this
year's successes to maintain Publican Live's position as the number
one exhibition for the UK's licensed trade."
As well as
providing a forum for debate with informative and inspiring seminars
covering everything from food and drink matching to good cellar
management the event also offered attendees a first glance at
hundreds of pioneering new products and services.
Having
identified wine as a key growth opportunity, food giant 3663 First
for Foodservice unveiled their collaboration with wine merchants
Bibendum. Officially launched in the UK on the first day of Publican
Live 'ViVAS' is a new offering of 150 wines and represents a dramatic
development for the on-trade wine sector, as quality wines become
accessible to outlets across the board.
Visitors got
a first taste of Halewood International's re-launched Swedish cider
brand Herrljunga under a brand new name, +46. The new name - which is
the dialling code for Sweden - will be rolled out into other markets
once the UK launch is completed.
Another
international brand making its UK debut was Rothaus organic beer
which was transported from its brewery in the heart of the Black
Forest in Germany to England for the very first time.
Antica
Sambuca officially announced that, as of the 1st of April, Antica
products will be available through Booker Wholesale, opening up a new
route to market for independent bars and the off-trade.
Special
guests included world champion bartender, Jamie Stephenson, whose
daily cocktail demonstrations proved to be a real draw as did 2008
world champion darts player John Part who was accompanied by no.1
referee, Russ Bray, on the Unicorn stand.
Also in
attendance was celebrated author and beer tasting expert, Jane
Peyton, who hosted 'The Battle of The Beers' in a search to find the
industry's favourite style through a series of blind tasting
sessions. She says: "A golden light ale called Exmoor Gold
from Exmoor Ales was the overall winner, taking the votes on two days
while a stout called Severn Sins from Severn Vale Brewery emerged as
the favourite on the second day. With two such contrasting beers
emerging as favourites, it is evident that our tastes vary and this
why the industry needs to cater for different tastes."
Those who
took a seat at the 'SIBA Local' drank more than 1,435 litres of the
32 regional ales on offer, including the supreme national champion of
SIBA's 2008 best beer competition.
In The Food
Market more than 2,000 of Brother Tom's pies and savouries were
tucked into while those with a sweeter tooth tasted over 300 litres
of New Forest ice-cream and those who really wanted to indulge
enjoyed oysters and champagne from the traders from London's Borough Market.
Catered4thekids,
a new marque that sets the standard for food, drinks and service in
children's menus and family dining in the UK, is now in discussion
with two national pub companies with a view to rolling out the marque
across their network of premises. It also attracted high-profile
media interest as well as interest from food and drink sponsors and
many sole proprietors wanting to raise the bar in family dining.
Carl May,
managing director of catered4thekids says: "Publican Live has
been an incredible platform for me to have a one-to-one with my
potential customers - the outcome couldn't have been better. It just
goes to show that if you're proactive and proud of your product you
will get the business."
Publican Live
attracts all sectors of the licensed trade from independent free
traders and tenants to lessees and representatives from the HQ's of
all the main breweries.
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