Drinks
At Wetherspoon, we understand that we are in the business of selling alcohol and cannot take the moral high ground, but we have tried to create a convivial environment which encourages people, within reason, to behave well.
In many licensing applications around the UK, trade competitors, over the years, have tried to say that Wetherspoon ‘causes trouble’ in the areas where our pubs are located. However, when the issue has been examined in court, the evidence strongly indicates that there is no increase in crime or disorder in the locality of our pubs, as a result of our openings. In a planning application in South Shields, the local inspector telephoned all of the licensing districts in which we traded and indicated that Wetherspoon had an extremely good reputation.
Some of the things which we have done over the years have been:
Good selection of low-priced soft drinks
As well as selling competitively priced beer, Wetherspoon also sells a wide range of soft drinks, at considerably lower prices than almost all other pubs. Studies have shown that the availability and prominent display of soft drinks, coffee and tea have had a helpful effect on excessive alcohol consumption. We currently sell over 450,000 cups of coffee every week.
As well as selling competitively priced beer, Wetherspoon also sells a wide range of soft drinks, at considerably lower prices than almost all other pubs.
Good training for managers and staff, plus a high ratio of managers per pub
Wetherspoon has led the way in training for managed house pub companies, recently winning the Supreme Award from the BII, for three consecutive years. We have won numerous other awards over the years, and our training programmes for managers are second to none. We also have a high number of managers per pub, averaging six at present.
Good training and a high management presence are regarded as important factors in curtailing bad behaviour, resulting from alcohol consumption.
Working week
The introduction of a 48-hour working week for all managers and staff and the fact that all managers are allowed two days off a week are evidence of the company's commitment to ensuring proper working conditions for all of its managers and staff.
Food available all day, at a reasonable price
Availability of food, as with the ready availability of soft drinks, is known to be a helpful factor in reducing the possible ill effects of excessive alcohol consumption; to that end, we provide a full menu of hot and cold food, from opening until one hour before closing, in all of our outlets.
Premises attract a broad range of age groups, not just young people
Wetherspoon promotes a range of food and drink products, as well as a special emphasis on drinks such as traditional ales, resulting in attracting a broad range of age groups, from pensioners at one end of the spectrum to students at the other. In addition, we allow families to dine in most of our pubs, something which has increased the range of age groups again.
Studies over the years have indicated that pubs which do not target a predominantly young age group enjoy better behaviour.
Even in Lloyds bars, we attract a broad range of age groups, for a considerable part of the time, and sell a far higher level of food and soft drinks than almost any competitor.
Aim for as many female customers as male customers
Over the years, we have tried to make our pubs appeal to women, since the presence of both sexes can have a beneficial effect on behaviour. In this area, we invested heavily. For example, our toilet facilities have regularly won ‘Loo of the Year’ awards for England, Scotland and Wales. Research shows that a high standard of loos, as well as helping the overall ambience of our pubs, is particularly important for women.
Quick and efficient service
Wetherspoon has consistently increased the number of managers, rates of pay and bonuses for staff, to try to ensure quick service and good standards. We also have approximately six mystery visitor calls per pub, per month, to check on service.
Efficient and friendly service is a strong factor in creating the convivial atmosphere which encourages good behaviour.
CCTV
Many years ago, we were asked by Bournemouth police, as a condition of our licence, to include CCTVs in our pub in that town. Our pub managers felt that it was an effective deterrent and encouraged responsible behaviour, so we spent many millions of pounds introducing CCTVs across the company.
High standards of maintenance, creating a convivial atmosphere
Pubs are often poorly maintained; this can have a subconscious effect on customers’ behaviour. It is part of our policy to have excellently maintained pubs; this is encompassed in our ‘CBSM’ motto which stands for ‘cleanliness, beer, service and maintenance’.
Pubwatch
All of our managers are encouraged to be members of Pubwatch; if there is none, we endeavour to be instrumental in setting up a Pubwatch. In addition, the company is a member of National Pubwatch and an associate member of The Portman Group, which aims to promote a sensible and responsible approach to the retailing of alcohol.
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Corporate Social Responsibility
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introduction
drinks retailing
Drinks
At Wetherspoon, we understand that we are in the business of selling alcohol and cannot take the moral high ground, but we have tried to create a convivial environment which encourages people, within reason, to behave well.
In many licensing applications around the UK, trade competitors, over the years, have tried to say that Wetherspoon ‘causes trouble’ in the areas where our pubs are located. However, when the issue has been examined in court, the evidence strongly indicates that there is no increase in crime or disorder in the locality of our pubs, as a result of our openings. In a planning application in South Shields, the local inspector telephoned all of the licensing districts in which we traded and indicated that Wetherspoon had an extremely good reputation.
Some of the things which we have done over the years have been:
Good selection of low-priced soft drinks
As well as selling competitively priced beer, Wetherspoon also sells a wide range of soft drinks, at considerably lower prices than almost all other pubs. Studies have shown that the availability and prominent display of soft drinks, coffee and tea have had a helpful effect on excessive alcohol consumption. We currently sell over 450,000 cups of coffee every week.
Good training for managers and staff, plus a high ratio of managers per pub
Wetherspoon has led the way in training for managed house pub companies, recently winning the Supreme Award from the BII, for three consecutive years. We have won numerous other awards over the years, and our training programmes for managers are second to none. We also have a high number of managers per pub, averaging six at present.
Working week
The introduction of a 48-hour working week for all managers and staff and the fact that all managers are allowed two days off a week are evidence of the company's commitment to ensuring proper working conditions for all of its managers and staff.
Food available all day, at a reasonable price
Availability of food, as with the ready availability of soft drinks, is known to be a helpful factor in reducing the possible ill effects of excessive alcohol consumption; to that end, we provide a full menu of hot and cold food, from opening until one hour before closing, in all of our outlets.
Premises attract a broad range of age groups, not just young people
Wetherspoon promotes a range of food and drink products, as well as a special emphasis on drinks such as traditional ales, resulting in attracting a broad range of age groups, from pensioners at one end of the spectrum to students at the other. In addition, we allow families to dine in most of our pubs, something which has increased the range of age groups again.
Even in Lloyds bars, we attract a broad range of age groups, for a considerable part of the time, and sell a far higher level of food and soft drinks than almost any competitor.
Aim for as many female customers as male customers
Over the years, we have tried to make our pubs appeal to women, since the presence of both sexes can have a beneficial effect on behaviour. In this area, we invested heavily. For example, our toilet facilities have regularly won ‘Loo of the Year’ awards for England, Scotland and Wales. Research shows that a high standard of loos, as well as helping the overall ambience of our pubs, is particularly important for women.
Quick and efficient service
Wetherspoon has consistently increased the number of managers, rates of pay and bonuses for staff, to try to ensure quick service and good standards. We also have approximately six mystery visitor calls per pub, per month, to check on service.
CCTV
Many years ago, we were asked by Bournemouth police, as a condition of our licence, to include CCTVs in our pub in that town. Our pub managers felt that it was an effective deterrent and encouraged responsible behaviour, so we spent many millions of pounds introducing CCTVs across the company.
High standards of maintenance, creating a convivial atmosphere
Pubs are often poorly maintained; this can have a subconscious effect on customers’ behaviour. It is part of our policy to have excellently maintained pubs; this is encompassed in our ‘CBSM’ motto which stands for ‘cleanliness, beer, service and maintenance’.
Pubwatch
All of our managers are encouraged to be members of Pubwatch; if there is none, we endeavour to be instrumental in setting up a Pubwatch. In addition, the company is a member of National Pubwatch and an associate member of The Portman Group, which aims to promote a sensible and responsible approach to the retailing of alcohol.
Introduction to our commitment to responsible drinks retailing
The issue of binge drinking is very big in the media at the moment, and we all know that a minority of people behaves very badly after a few drinks. It is particularly noticeable when people let their hair down for a special occasion, with some feeling that it is OK to behave in a way which is offensive to the majority of the population or to those not involved in ‘the party’.
Summary
It is right for society to take a dim view of some of the extreme antisocial behaviour, resulting from heavy drinking and the immature and selfish attitude with which it often goes hand in hand. We believe that the biggest victims of this sort of behaviour are pub managers and staff. We realise that we sell alcohol and must do our best, therefore, to create a safe and convivial atmosphere for customers and staff. The actions mentioned above have gone some way to reducing problems in our pubs, but cannot eliminate them completely – and we are keen to work with the authorities on the introduction of further sensible measures in this area.
www.drinkaware.co.uk
Take a look for yourself
Some of the things which we have done over the years to help responsible drinking are detailed on the left.
Our pubs – Your Pubs