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Are you a publican constantly trying to think of ways to boost sales and bring in the punters without spending endless money?

With pubs finding it harder and harder bars to survive, it’s important for everyone in the industry to share what they’ve learnt in terms of what works and what doesn’t. With the long working hours required from publicans it can be hard to take time out and review the current market – plus there’s precious-little opportunity to get out visiting the competition. The pub business has changed enormously over the last 10 years and if you as a publican don’t keep up there’s only one way you’re headed…

So what’s the answer? Get proactive! There are two main hurdles for the modern-day publican: time, and money. Fortunately, advertising patterns have shifted, and it’s now clear that the most effective way of reaching your audience is online, which is both quick and cheap! Gone are the days of expensive radio or newspaper ads.

The 3 most effective tools you can use to up your sales are:

1. Your Imagination
2. Facebook & Twitter
3. A website that ranks highly on search engine results

Get Thinking

The run up to a calendar date like Christmas is the perfect time to put all 3 tools into practice, starting with ‘Imagination’. Firstly you need to ask yourself “What do customers want from a pub nowadays?” Research suggests that the answer to this has changed dramatically, largely due to the fact that “Women are the new men” – women decide where their families and friends go, they’re interested in trends, and importantly, men follow them. So what do women want? It certainly isn’t a grimy old boozer with sticky floors and nothing but pints of beer to choose from! Consider the following:

• A variety of drinks including sparkling wines, cocktails and bottled lagers
• A contemporary, inviting interior
• An interesting menu with healthy options
• A coffee machine serving a range of quality coffees
• Breakfast options
• Facilities for children
• Seasonal offers and promotions
• Entertainment to celebrate key calendar dates

Drinks Variety

Although ever-popular lagers will always be a basic necessity behind the bar, frankly they just don’t cut the mustard with the trend-setting female consumers. Women want wine, and if they’re out with the girls they want sparkling wine and cocktails whilst the modern man favours bottled lagers over a pint. But don’t forget Real Ales! Cask ales are now trendy, and popularity is continuing to grow, so make sure you take advantage of it but don’t forget to use your imagination – the reason its trendy is that consumers believe they are discovering something a little bit different, a little bit unique. So don’t just stock a popular ale and stick with it, instead, look for interesting names and change the ale regularly. After all, everyone’s amused by Thirsty Dog Brewerys’ Old Leghumper but the novelty wears off!

Interior Design

The design and layout of a pub is one of the most significant aspects when attracting customers. Nowadays there’s also a lot more to consider when designing the interior; its needs to be trendy for the younger crowd, but not alienate more mature clientele. It needs to accommodate children and families whilst allowing for child-free adult dining. There needs to be a sports area – generally connected to the bar – but remember not everyone wants to listen to football commentary when dining. Crucially, there should be a ‘lounge’ area aimed at coffee drinkers. This leads us to the fundamental consideration when refurbishing a pub in the current climate: You must be able to attract as many customers as possible at as many different times throughout the day and night. Seemingly the most successful way of doing this is to create ‘zones’. This allows for a light and airy feel whilst catering for different clientele groups with differing design preferences. Fingers cross this will mean you’ll pull in the punters for breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner and late night drinks.

Interesting menu

Attitudes to pub dining have changed a lot over the last decade, and the line between pub and restaurant is almost completely blurred. Pubs are now expected to serve a much more varied menu including everything from curry to stone-baked pizza. A popular way to do this is through themed promotional days such as ‘Mexican Monday’, ‘Pie Tuesday’, Curry Wednesday’, ‘Grill Thursday’ and ‘Fish Friday’. Not only do these offers attract customers, but often they help build a regular clientele who visit week-in week-out for their favourite dish. But don’t forget the dieters! Remember what we said about women being the decision makers. By providing a low calorie section in your menu you limit an ever-increasing calorie-counting clientele group from being alienated, and taking their families with them!

The Rise of Coffee Culture

Coffee is the new tea. Coffee chains are booming with new outlets popping up everywhere, whilst pubs are closing every day – surely this points to an obvious opportunity? If pubs serve good coffee in a comfortable relaxed environment there’s no reason at all why they shouldn’t have a share of the customers. Whilst we can’t all afford a partnership with Costa, we can certainly justify the installation of a decent coffee machine. Combine this with a children’s play area and you’ll instantly attract the mums too, who in turn decide where the family dine out. Surveys have shown that diners see coffee as so important to a ‘restaurant’ that they won’t return somewhere that served them a bad cup. The industry needs to realise that as people are becoming more discerning in their food and drink choices, this includes coffee.

Big Breakfast

By opening your doors early in the morning rather than the previously accepted 11am, you also open yourself up to a whole new group of customers. There’s a growing trend for Mums to meet for breakfast and a coffee after dropping the kids at school, so be sure to make the most of it. Before you know it you’ll have mother and toddler groups meeting at your pub every week, and that’s a market you can’t turn down! Adult-only visits to pubs are falling, so make sure you capitalize on the family/food formula.

Doing it for the Kids

Once parents find a pub they can relax in whilst the kids are entertained, they’ll stick with it. Research shows that the majority of parents will choose a venue to dine at specifically because of the children’s facilities available. If you’ve got a garden be sure to install a children’s play area, and if you’ve got the space inside don’t miss an opportunity to create a distraction zone. But changes don’t need to be expensive, why not introduce a special menu, colouring pack and baby changing facilities. Don’t forget the family-friendly staff too!

‘Tis the Season to Cover all Bases

Everyone loves getting swept up in festive cheer or Summer fever, so whatever the occasion don’t miss an opportunity to introduce fun and exciting promotions. Summer brings pitchers of Pimms and external ice cream huts, whilst in Winter there’s an abundance of sales-boosting opportunities including:

• Seasonal flavoured coffees – very trendy right now! Gingerbread latte, nutmeg cappuccino, cinnamon, amaretto etc
• ‘Coffee & Mince Pie’ promotions. Absolutely everyone struggles to turn down a mince pie, so make a deal of it and encourage customers to