Punch Taverns is stepping up a gear when it comes to preparing its 9,300 strong estate for the fast approaching smoking bans in Wales and England.

The UK’s largest pub company has already committed to invest £10 million in smoking solutions in addition to the ongoing £65 million investment programme in its leased estate. 

Around £8 million will also be spent in its Spirit Group managed house pubs, where every outlet will have an external smoking facility whether it’s a stubbing out bin, umbrellas or awnings to a full alfresco solution.

But at the heart of Punch’s strategy is ongoing communication for managers and retailers giving guidance, business building ideas and training.

Punch Taverns’ head of communications Nicola Highton said: “We are using a variety of communication tools to ensure that everyone at the front end of our business understands the smoking ban legislation and what they can do to prepare for its implementation.”

In our 1,200 strong managed house estate, Spirit Group, managers are receiving a monthly newsletter, a comprehensive ‘Dealing with the Ban’ no smoking pack and customer point of sale promoting the forthcoming ban. 

Nicola explained: “The training and smoking ban pack covers the essentials of dealing with the ban in terms of licensing law, conflict management and how to attract and retain new no smoking customers through a focus on customer service.  It also includes a Smoke Free Charter poster for staff and no smoking signage.

“We have adapted this tool for our leased estate and each retailer in Wales in England will receive a copy.”

The Spirit activity is supported by every manager receiving a follow-up call and visit from their Business Development Manager (BDM).

In addition, team players are being given special smoking ban training by their managers as part of the company’s ongoing ‘Developing Your People’ initiative, which is structured so that it can be used, not only for present employees but also for training new recruits in the future. 

In the leased estate a series of retailer smoking seminars is underway in Wales headed up by Punch’s smoking project manager Anthony Ringer. Also taking part are a number of suppliers offering advice on solutions for even landlocked pubs. 

A similar exercise is planned at a later date for England where representatives from local authorities and no-smoking campaign group AIR will also contribute to the discussion on the ban, implementation and compliance as well as the opportunities that it will bring for business.

A regular ‘countdown to the ban’ postcard is being sent to retailers with a more detailed monthly one page newsletter offering advice on signage, food solutions and marketing tips.   

“The smoking ban is even bigger than licensing in terms of cultural change and we are doing everything possible to ensure that our estate is left with no excuse in terms of being prepared.  However we realise it’s not just about short-term planning but the long-term future and for this we have created a comprehensive Business Building Brochure,” added Nicola.

The brochure is being briefed into Punch’s network of Business Relationship Managers (BRMs) and will be used as a tool to help retailers improve their businesses through raising standards and introducing new offers such as food and entertainment.

Nicola concluded: “Our key message is that the smoking ban is an opportunity for our pubs to attract new customers, such as non-smokers and families, but also retain existing customers by raising standards, introducing new offers and investing in solutions for those who do smoke.  However, doing nothing at all is not an option.”

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For further information please contact Jo Mathers or Nick Trueman at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780.