The Daily Telegraph – October 2009

Britain’s beer lovers will soon be able to pay for a pint in their local pub using gift vouchers like those popular in high street stores, a new report discloses.

The first-ever voucher scheme designed for use solely in licensed premises is set to be launched next month and pubs are being urged to get involved.

Giant pub companies Greene King, Young’s, Thwaites and Hall & Woodhouse have already signed up and their pubs will be among more than 1,000 outlets where the tokens can be used when the scheme launches on November 12.

Dominic Lavan, managing director of the company behind the new scheme, Pub Tokens, said it will allow pubs to cash in on the £3.2 billion spent on gift vouchers every year in Britain.

“This is a great opportunity for the on-trade and it gives consumers another option rather than buying vouchers for the high street,” he said.

Customers will be able to buy vouchers from the Pub Tokens website in £10 and £20 denominations. These can then be spent on food, drink and accommodation at pubs listed on the site. Pubs then redeem the vouchers with Pub Tokens.

For pubs taking part it is a way of attracting new trade, Mr Lavan told the trade magazine The Publican.

He said: “These are a great gift for Anniversary, Valentine’s Day, birthdays or any other occasion and it encourages people back in the pub for special occasions.

“People will not only redeem the vouchers but they are always going to be inclined to up-spend in cash while they are there.

“If we are going to compete with the high street we have to have a scheme supported by a wide variety of pub operators.”

Publication: Daily Telegraph October 2009