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Date
01 May 2002
Title
Finest cask provides tools for business growth
Press Release
Tim and Jane Thompson were among the first licensees to sign up to Finest Cask when Punch Pub Company launched the scheme last September.
 
They have used it to widen the selection of beers at their pub, the Thatched Tavern, in the Cotswolds village of Honeybourne, where they have been tenants for three years.
 
Utilising Finest Cask, coupled with an effective marketing strategy, has led to a significant increase in cask ale sales, according to Tim.
 
He said: "Our main goal was drive up wet sales so we could reach a 50 / 50 wet and dry split. Just a few months after the introduction of Finest Cask we had achieved that balance - and we are still maintaining it today."
 
By increasing the choice of cask ales from 16 to up to 50 throughout the year, Tim and Jane have been able to satisfy the demands of all their customers.
 
"While the quality of our beer was never in question - we received the Cask Marque just over a year ago - the limited choice meant the same products were appearing on rotation from week to week," said Tim.
 
"Most of our customers prefer the more quirky ales on the market and enjoy experimenting with different varieties and Finest Cask makes this possible."
 
With a new offering in place Punch Pub Company embarked on a £30,000 internal and external refurbishment at the Thatched Tavern, while a Finest Cask launch event with beer tasting helped market the improvements.
 
The couple also advertised extensively in a regional lifestyle magazine, pushing Finest Cask and their Cask Marque accreditation, and introduced a 'try before you buy' scheme with free beer samples available on request.
 
Tim said: "The launch worked really well, widening our catchment area to include places like Stratford, Worcester and Cheltenham, which are up to 30 minutes drive away. We have also noticed more customers buying beer in the restaurant and attracted lots of Cotswolds tourists who enjoy tasting a traditional pint.
 
"But above all, it has sent out an important message about the Thatched Tavern - that we treat cask ale as seriously as fine wine and food."
 
Looking ahead, Tim and Jane still believe there is growth potential in the cask ale market, particularly among younger drinkers, and have a number of ideas in place to help them achieve it.
 
Tim said: "We have been nominated for an entry into the 2003 CAMRA guide and are considering arranging a Bank Holiday beer festival.
 
"Punch Pub Company is helping us finance an application to the local council for heritage signage status since the pub is one of the few surviving examples of a crook construction building, a medieval technique that uses whole tree trunks for the A-frame.
 
"And we will continue to utilise Finest Cask to ensure our cask ale offering remains diverse and exciting."

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