This year’s National Pub Fortnight, the annual two-week celebration of the Great British pub, run by Ei Publican Partnerships - and this year in conjunction with Star Pubs and Bars, will provide 50,000 free drinks to customers across the UK – more than three times last year’s total (15,000).
Returning for a second year, the 50,000 free drinks will be available at over 2,000 pubs across the UK from 20 July – 5 August. In keeping with last year’s campaign, the drinks, which include pints of Fosters, John Smiths, Kronenbourg 1664, Strongbow, Strongbow Dark Fruit, Heineken and Amstel, as well as bottles of Old Mouth, Bulmers and Heineken 0.0, will be redeemable via an online app (www.freedrinkoffer.co.uk).
An accompanying piece of research for the fortnight long celebrations, reinforces the importance of the pub for local communities, with seven out of 10 people listing it as one of the most important local amenities, coming second only to the local shop and Doctor’s surgery.
The research also revealed the unwritten ‘pub etiquette’ rules of the Great British pub, with dodging rounds proving a sticking point for many customers. In fact, as many as 6.2 million Brits duck out of rounds altogether and 5.7 million ask for a more expensive drink on other people’s rounds.
As part of this year’s campaign, Ei Publican Partnerships will once again offer support from third party suppliers and will encourage publicans to run their own events including beer festivals, music events, family fun days and BBQs, not just during the fortnight but throughout the remainder of the summer period.
Ei Publican Partnerships MD, Nick Light said, “Momentum is key for campaigns, and our commitment to more than triple the amount of free drinks available clearly demonstrates our desire to grow our support for publicans across the country.
'The Great British pub is an institution and we’re determined to work collaboratively with the industry to celebrate the community pillar that has created so many special memories across the nation. I very much look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition over the coming weeks.”
Stephen Rooney, Head of Business Support, Star Pubs & Bars, said: “We’re very excited for this year’s National Pub Fortnight, a fantastic campaign that champions pubs in the heart of their communities up and down the country. It’s pleasing to see so many pubs signed up, for what is going to be a terrific two-week celebration of the great British pub.”