Ei Publican Partnerships is to team up with two other major pub companies for the third National Pub Fortnight, an exciting two-week celebration of the great British pub, which will see up to 100,000 free drinks given away to pub-goers this summer.
The initiative was designed to reinforce the ongoing importance of pubs to consumers and their value to local communities. New for this year, Punch will join Ei Publican Partnerships and Star Pubs & Bars for the event, increasing the number of pubs taking part to almost 2,500 while the number of drinks being given away will double from 2018.
During the fortnight, consumers will be able to access a web-based app to claim one of up to 100,000 free drinks from participating pubs across the UK.
Drinks available through the promotion include Amstel, Foster’s, Strongbow, Strongbow Dark Fruit, Heineken, John Smith’s, Kronenbourg, Maltsmith’s Lager, Maltsmith’s IPA, Heineken 0.0 (bottle), Old Mout (bottle), Old Mout Alcohol Free (bottle), Gordon’s gin & tonic (single serve any standard tonic), Britvic J20 (bottle) and Pepsi Max (bottle).
Nick Light, Managing Director at Ei Publican Partnerships, said, “We are delighted to see National Pub Fortnight build momentum this year as Punch joins the initiative for the first time. National Pub Fortnight aims to encourage more UK consumers to visit the pub, while highlighting the important role they play in bringing local communities together.
' We are always looking for ways to help our publicans drive their businesses, and by raising awareness and providing an incentive to visit pubs, National Pub Fortnight is one of the ways we can do that. Last year 39,000 people signed up to the offer through the app and we are expecting more this year.”
In addition to the collaboration with the other pub companies, Ei Publican Partnerships has enlisted support from Heineken, Britvic and Diageo to offer a selection of the nation’s favourite drinks. The initiative will be promoted though a high-profile publicity campaign to include PR, digital and social media activity alongside striking POS in participating pubs.
Punch Managing Director, Andy Spencer added: “We are thrilled to participate in this year’s National Pub Fortnight – it’s a fantastic initiative which connects pubs with their local communities. Today, publicans across the country face many challenges so it’s important that we come together and support each other in every way we can.
'Pubs will hugely benefit from this two-week celebration with increased exposure and an opportunity to welcome customers old and new to enjoy a free drink in their local pub.’’
Star Pubs & Bars Head of Business Support, Stephen Rooney said, “This is our third year supporting National Pub Fortnight and we are excited to see this scheme grow year-on-year, as we encourage more drink brands and publicans to get involved.
'We welcome any initiative that helps publicans to grow their business and we hope to see a record number of consumers getting involved this year.”
Running from 19 July to 4 August, the National Pub Fortnight offer is available to consumers at www.nationalpubfortnight.com