Half empty or half full?

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Title – Half empty or half full?
Source – The Independent
Date – 29th July 2008

You would think that with all the talk of binge drinking and excess alcohol consumption the Licensed Retail Sector would be enjoying unparalleled success, yet the figures show how untrue that really is.

The figures released for beer sales make disturbing reading for those working in the sector; beer sales are down a staggering 7 million pints a day since 1979. From the graphs we can see that the convergence in the consumption of beer on licensed premise and at home. If this trend continues then in the next few years more beer will be drunk at home then in pubs and bars; yet pubs will still suffer the burden of tougher legislation for alcohol related problems and the burden of having to deal with customers who ‘pre-load’.

For an industry on the brink of crisis in several different forms, in an economic slowdown, under severe public pressure and political scrutiny these figures are not encouraging. With almost 4 pubs closing every day in the UK (source BBPA 2008), to stay in business they have to stay ahead of their competitors and this means changing their business models to suit their customers preferences almost before their customers have made this change themselves.

Certain changes occur as a result of legislation introduced, such as the smoking ban; some change occurs as businesses have capitalised on customers evolving taste buds; but those that succeed most regularly are those that never sit back having ‘accomplished’ their goals, but realise that the ever moving goalposts mean that standing still is never an option. As our customers evolve we must evolve to meet their needs and as legislation changes, so does the responsibility of the people working in the sector to ensure they are working within the law and within the guidance issued.

Our portfolio of training courses and Consultancy Services can ensure that your business is managing the challenges that the industry faces and can exploit the opportunities available to be better than the competition and help your business to succeed. Our courses include statutory courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH), the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) and the National Certificate for Designated Premises Supervisors (NCDPS)., as well as bespoke courses and consultancy we can develop especially for your business and your employees.

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