Roaring success for Robinsons Roadshows
Robinsons Brewery has declared their trio of business building Roadshows to be the most successful they have ever had, with over 60% attendance from its 330 strong pub estate.
Licensees receiving expert business advice
The three day event was the brainchild of Robinsons Retail Marketing Manager Sarah Rogers who co-ordinated the events in Wales, Cumbria and Stockport.
Running from 10.30am – 3.30pm, the shows showcased over 30 industry-leading suppliers, ranging from food and drink to support services, providing Robinsons’ licensees with the chance to meet suppliers, sample products and services, watch live demonstrations of new technologies and take home a wealth of free business advice. Business incentives such as banners, bunting and posters for the World Cup, Father’s day and Easter were all on offer plus the opportunity to win £500 of cask ale, £50 free POS, £50 free credit on My Pub Hub (a tool where pubs can create their own posters, menus and other print material), and a free bottle of Bacardi. This year, Robinsons also launched social media seminars to its licensees.
One publican who attended was Gareth Walsh, who has been running The Black Lion in Abegele North Wales for 3 and a half years. Mr Walsh was very impressed with the support on offer: “We’ve always struggled to find a regular and reliable suppliers but the tradeshow opened these doors for us. We finally have some new contacts that we can rely one! I would recommend these shows to every Robinsons’ tenant!”
Venues L-R - Visitors Centre stockport, Quayside Wales, Lakeside Cumbria
It wasn’t just the tenants who found the shows beneficial. Michael Smith … of Magners GB Ltd said: “Clearly much hard work and preparation went into the recent Robinsons Roadshows. All three events were impeccably organised and as a supplier we were very well looked after. The turn out on all three days was also fantastic. Clearly, Robinsons have some great partners running their pubs, they were very professional and passionate about their businesses and interested in new products to drive their business forward. We had significantly more visitors to our stand than expected and were able to do some productive business during the event as a consequence. It’s a ‘thumbs up’ from Magners – we look forward to seeing everyone at the next event!”
Tim Roberts Sales Manager of Cellar Trends said: “This was the first Robinsons Roadshow we have attended and I have to say it was one of the most organised shows I have been to. Huge credit to Sarah Rogers and the Robinsons team for planning such a successful and well attended event. It was very beneficial for us to meet more outlets and show what we have to offer, especially the new listings.”
Steve Bush UK Sales Manager of Boxerchips added: “Robinsons are a great business to work alongside. They buy into the fact that premium brands will generate a more robust RRP and stronger cash margin, especially from brands that have no association with the high street. The shows were well supported and well organised, roll on next year.”
Sarah Rogers, Retail Marketing Manager, was delighted by the turnout: “60% is brilliant; at the Stockport show alone over 90 pubs joined us. It’s never easy to entice licensees away from their businesses, but the benefits for those that did attend were considerable. These shows are a great excuse to get out and see as many people in our estate as we can. It’s also good for licensees to meet Robinsons’ staff and put a face to a name.”
“Every year, we have seen the Roadshows grow in popularity and following the licensee and supplier feedback from this year, we believe these have been our most successful yet.”
