Punch Taverns has been encouraging all English pubs across its 8,400 strong pub estate to make the most of the St George’s Day celebrations this Thursday.

Licensees and General Managers have been offered a wide range of special deals, promotional kits and top tips to help them maximise the opportunity and drive trade.

Over 1300 special branded St. George's Day kits have gone into the leased estate along with 1500 National Cask Ale week kits while 150 pubs in the managed estate have had Bombardier kits and 35 Marston’s kits.

Punch’s operations director Kevin Georgel comments: “St George’s Day is not only a great celebration of our nation’s fine traditions, but is the perfect opportunity for us to  recognise the value and role of  the Great British pub  which sits at the the   heart of  many communities around the country .”

“Our teams have been busy helping licensees organise and promote St George’s Day activities.  These  includes creative ideas for events, branded kits to help them decorate their pubs  and the use of our in-house Design and Print team for bespoke St George’s designs.  The operations team have also helped  many  licensees organise beer festivals -  which are significantly up on last year."

David Misseldine, licensee of The Bell in Ruislip, is organising a huge community parade involving the Army, Navy and the Lord Mayor of Uxbridge!

David explains: “We formed a St George’s Day Committee twelve months ago to plan this event as it takes an awful lot of planning! We expect to see about 300 people join the parade which is led by a full brass band singing patriotic songs such as Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem.”

“It ends with the raising of the St George’s Flag by members of the British Legion and serving personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force based at RAF Norhtholt.  The day will also include a barbeque and mystery VIP guest!”
“Last year there were over 700 people here in the evening and we raised over £2,500 for the Royal British Legion!”