CHARLES WELLS HELPS LIFT FLAT CHRISTMAS SPIRITS
Charles Wells Pub Company continues to lift flat Christmas spirits for its licensees who were adversely affected by the knock-on effects of the unusually cold and snowy December.
The Bedford based company has introduced a series of measures to help those customers whose businesses suffered because of people changing their plans due to the weather during the traditionally hectic pre-Christmas period.
“We’ve received mixed feedback from our licensees” commented Managing Director, Anthony Wallis. “Whilst some pubs struggled because their customers stayed at home, others picked up extra trade from people who were unable or unwilling to travel further afield than their local community. In response, we’ve committed to defer the December rental payment for those customers who’ve contacted us and demonstrated that the weather conditions had a significant detrimental effect on their business. Our Retail Development Managers are visiting these sites in January to discuss repayment plans, which will also take into account the impact that the VAT rise has on their turnover, and we’ve already announced that we’re absorbing price increases on own-brewed beers until June 2011.”
The company is working with its recognised accountancy partners to analyse licensees’ cash flow and offer advice on negotiating appropriate payment plans with other suppliers and the tax office. It will continue to offer purchase agreements for fixtures and fittings to free up working capital and has increased the capacity of its repairs budget to manage additional problems caused by frozen or leaking pipes and boiler problems associated with the cold weather.
“As well as providing practical financial help for licensees, we’ll continue to lobby for additional support for pubs and other small businesses from Government” continued Anthony Wallis. “We’re encouraging every licensee to do the same through organisations like the FSB, BBPA and ALMR to help drive home the impact that duty and taxation policy is having on their livelihood. We’re also working on a number of practical initiatives designed to help increase footfall and sales in the early months of 2011 and beyond to give our licensees the best possible all-round support.”
Charles Wells Pub Company has won a number of industry awards for its licensee support and working with its customers to build sustainable businesses. It holds a number of open discussion groups throughout the year and invites feedback on how it might provide the practical support that is most beneficial to its licensee customers.
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For immediate release: Monday 10th January 2011
For further information, contact: Kate Hempsall, Charles Wells Pub Company
Tel: +44 (0)1234 272625
