Punch Taverns plc 2007 Annual Report and Financial Statements

Our ‘NITA’ award winning retailer induction programme,
‘Modern Licensed Retailing’, and our ‘Profit Through Quality’
course, continue to dominate our retailer training programme
with over 13,250 training days held in the year.
This year we have been short-listed for Professional Trainer
of the Year, Best Development Programme in non Managed
estates and Best Area Manager / BDM Development Award.
We are committed to communicating openly with our retailers
in terms of the level of support that we offer them and in their
obligations in working in partnership with us. We are proud that
in the last year our new Retailer Charter was one of the first pub
company charters to be accredited by BIIBAS, the British Institute
of Innkeeping Benchmarking Accreditation Services. The Charter
covers all aspects of our relationship with them, from the routes
to applying for a pub, how the rent review process works, to
how to transfer their agreement.
We continue to recognise best practice in our leased estate
through our retailer reward and recognition programme, the
Shine awards. We launched this year’s programme at the end
of the financial year.
Environmental responsibility
We understand that businesses account for around 40% of the
UK’s carbon emissions and we recognise the environmental and
business benefits of reducing energy consumption. This year we
have worked closely with the Annual Carbon Disclosure Project
to improve our carbon footprint across the whole supply chain,
with the intention of an estimated carbon base reduction of
17% by 2010.
This year we have made good progress. In January we appointed a
Carbon Manager, whose role is focused on; reviewing our energy
consumption, understanding our carbon usage, quantifying our
impact on the environment and implementing new initiatives to
reduce our consumption in our Spirit managed pubs. At the same
time the Carbon Manager will also make sure the lessons we have
learnt are applied across our leased estate.
We ran trials across 51 of our pubs, which had ‘smart metering’
installed. These smart meter systems offer a real time view of
water, electricity and gas consumption. Results will then be
analysed to identify exactly where savings can be made before
the scheme is extended to other Spirit pubs later this year. Punch
has invested £133,408 in energy saving solutions, such as
improved insulation, more efficient boilers, heating controls and
low energy lighting.
Managers attended green workshops to learn more about
energy efficient business practices and prepared energy
reduction action plans for their individual pubs.
Initial trials over 51 pubs continue to show savings above the
levels previously reported. This has been driven by behavioural
change activity, Automated Metre Readers (AMRs) installation
and improvements in lighting and controls. Lessons we have learnt
in the managed side of the business from the trials will be shared
across the leased operation. Our effort in this area is helping us
to prepare for future legislation in regard to carbon emissions.
We have also reviewed our energy consumption across our head
office locations in Burton upon Trent. In June 2007 we held our
first Green Week, which was supported by the Carbon Trust and
the environmental consultancy company Enviros. During Green
Week we implemented a number of carbon friendly
programmes across the Group.
In January 2007 the Spirit managed business was short-listed
for the Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards 2007 in
the leisure and tourism category.
The award recognised organisations that lead by example in
cutting down on the water they use.
Neighbour responsibility
We encourage all of our retailers and Pub Managers to build
good relationships with their neighbours as we understand
that whilst a pub is an important part of the local community,
it operates in close proximity to residential properties.
We investigate any neighbourhood concerns through our
Operations team and encourage our operators to consult
with their neighbours through attending Residents
Association meetings.
We have a documented process for responding to complaints
from members of the public and we handle all complaints
sensitively and with respect. Most issues tend to be resolved
quickly through encouraging dialogue between our Operations
team at a local level. Our reputation as a pub company depends
on developing good relationships with our customers,
neighbours and local residents.
1. Sarah Johnstone NITA Award winner:
‘Best Development Programme –
leased estate’.
2. Deborah Kemp and Karen Caddick
launch our ‘Green Awareness Campaign’.
3. Andrew Knight addressing the
Spirit Conference.
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Punch Taverns plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2007 15