BII continues to support
10-Dec-2003
Members are again being encouraged to promote a drivers shelf of alternative drinks as a positive promotional opportunity out of the heightened drink-driving issue at Christmas and New Year time.
Caroline Nodder, Corporate Communications Manager at the BII said: "This is the season to be jolly as they say, but that doesn't have to mean that customers won't have access to low alocohol beers, wines and ciders. However, licensees need to make sure that their customers are aware of the difference between low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.
"In our entry-level training for barstaff and licensees, we encourage them to develop a 'drivers shelf' of alternative and soft drinks. Making use of the excellent point of sale material now available to push soft drinks, licensees will be able to promote responsibile drinking whilst still increasing revenue over this busy period."
Here are some top tips on how to keep your customers under the limit:
- Display anti-drink driving materials in prominent places in your pub - on windows, in the toilets, above the bar, etc. These are available free of charge from teh Portman Group.
- Adopt a reliable taxi firm and promote their services at the bar and on pay phones
- Create a drivers shelf of good quality and interesting soft drink options
- Consider running special offers on "drivers" drinks
- Serve food. Anyone planning to drive after even one drink is advised to eat well during the session, or not drink AT ALL
- Join forces with a local bus company and other pubs and clubs to operate an extra closing time bus service to take customers home - and promote it!
- Promote your venue as driver friendly and post clear "Don't drink and Drive" messages throughout your venue.
To obtain free promotional anti drink-drive material, and a guide for staff in pubs and bars, contact The Portman Group on 0207 907 3700 or www.portmangroup.org.uk.
The BII offfers training courses and good practice materials for you and your staff by calling 01276 684449 or by browsing through the remainder of www.bii.org.
If there is a local PubWatch scheme, it is worth getting involved. For more information call 01707 650095 or visit www.pubwatch.org.
The BII actively supports the Portman Group's I'll Be Des campaign.
To read more about the BII's News and activities click here to be transferred to the News & Media section
| Contact | For interviews and further details on the drink driving issue, contact Erica Snedker, Communications Executive at the BII on 01276 417805 or erica@bii.org, or contact Caroline Nodder, Corporate Communications Manager on 07855 841216 or carolinen@bii.org. |
