MAGAZINE

In it to win it

As someone who is involved in organising various events and competitions for the pub and bar industry, there is always one consideration that never leaves my mind. 

Alongside all the marketing, design processes, news stories and social media posts, it’s essential that we’re constantly reminding ourselves that these events have to fit around the busyness of the operators we hope will enter. With the sector working harder than it has ever had to before, time is almost as precious as custom, so if we want someone to enter a competition, we have to make it worth their while.

Currently, there are three competitions Pub & Bar readers can get involved in. Entries are open for The Classic Cocktail Competition (close on 22 August), the National Pizza Awards and the Street Food Championships (both close on 5 September). So, why, you may ask, should you take the time to enter? Well, for starters, the entry process for each event couldn’t be simpler – just head to the respective website and fill in a very short entry form (all entries are free, I might add).  

Secondly, when asking ‘why?’, there is one overriding factor in play and that is what each competition can do for exposure, development and, ultimately, sales. We hear back from finalists and winners alike about what one of the above awards can do for footfall. “Didn’t you hear? We’ve got the Bartender of the Year working in our pub” or “Yep, that’s right, you can taste the National Pizza of the Year right here!” I know victory may seem like a small possibility, but previous winners have come from single-site independents all the way up to national groups, with the attention garnered from being part of the events all contributing to the future success of those involved.  

Whether you’re riding a wave of positive sales momentum through the summer months or scratching your head and searching for the next big idea that could help boost the bottom line during uncertain times, a bespoke trade competition can be a wonderful thing for your business. But, as we know, you’ve got to be in it to win it, so check out the above and enter today.

Tristan O’Hana - Editor