Club Mirror - Feb/March 2023

Cont ents club mirror

AWARDS, EVENTS AND CALLS TO ACTION

11

For

08

In association with Club Mirror and after months of judging , the C A MR A Super Round Clubs of the Year are announced

10 Club News

Portman Group reveals that 85% of complaints about alcoholic marketing and packaging related to their appeal to the under18s

58 HQ Building the Business

From managing change to food trends Plus: Enhancing the member experience – the value of a fully manageable, online membership platform.

ASK THE EXPERTS

63 Training

The link between staff training and the resourcing shortages

64 The ar t of negotiation

How to get what you bargained for

65 Energy saving

Energy consumption and invisible waste

66 Sust ainability

Could your club do more for the environment?

Contr ibutors

Looking ahead t o 2023. Plus: r e v ewing Clubland in all its glor y

Welcome to this special Club Awards winners issue where those of you who couldn’t join us, or watch our live-streaming, can experience it in all its glory. From football clubs to rugby clubs and social clubs to community clubs, the breadth and extent of the UK’s Clubland was showcased in style at the glittering evening. The clubs which came together under that one roof on that one night represented the best of the best and rightly take their place in Club Mirror’s Hall of Fame.

New for the Awards was the Diversity Club of the Year category, underlining the inclusivity of Clubland, as well as people-focussed recognition awards for Long Service, Community Heroes and Young Ambassadors. We also celebrated clubs who’d reached their centennial by enrolling them into the 100 Club, and commended clubs for their outstanding community values, from welcoming those new comers fleeing their homeland to acting as a foodbank for those in need

As always entertainment remains a key factor in bringing in members, and sport continues to provide a unifying bond with action both on and off the pitch pulling in the crowds Business initiatives were also high in the pecking order with the ingenuity of clubs being praised by the judges. Charity remained a priority, and the dedication of Managers, Stewards and Committees was recognised and applauded

In short, much to celebrate – and we did it in style, with live performances from our very good friends at Phoenix Arts Club who opened the event with a show-stopping rendition from The Greatest Showman, complete with fire-eaters and sword-swallowers.

Thanks to every club who entered, to all of our judges, our guests, our presenters, our association colleagues and of course our wonderful club-supporting sponsors.

A big shout out to the Lord Mayor of Leicester for welcoming us all to his city, to John Inverdale for hosting – now very much part of the club family! – and to BT Sport and Dransfields for their unstinting support of clubs and the Club Awards across many years. And an extra thanks goes to Dransfields for an exceptionally fun afternoon at Leicester’s Nottingham Oddfellows Club – see pages 56-57 – as well as a fun round of Bee Bop Bingo during the evening event A great big Club Mirror thank you also goes out to sponsors Club Control, Club Insure, Higos, HQ Building the Business, Layloo, Pukka Pies, Pure Purchasing and Studio 44

Awards apart, in this issue you’ll also find sound advice from experts keen to help Clubland stay at its very own cutting edge HQ Building the Business examines the art of managing change, food trends and enhancing the member experience via online membership platforms, while our Ask the Experts section mulls over the importance of training, highlights energy saving tips and explores the invaluable art of negotiating

Finally, congratulations to each and every club reading this for always being there for your members and your communities And here’s to all the unsung heroes across the land You may not yet be getting all the plaudits you deserve but we ’ re campaigning to change that

Watch this space!

Caroline Scoular Editor, Club Mirror

Justin

Editor Caroline Scoular

Design David Foster

Events Jill Slingsby, Karen Foreman, Guy Brennan

Display Adver tising Margaret Doher ty

Sales and Marketing Manager Leigh-Ann Ogilvie

Circulation Jon Hardy

Accounts Andrew Soles

Publishing Director Sean Ferris

Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing Ltd, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor SW4 1TX Tel: 01753 272022 Fax: 01753 272 021

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The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher Club Mirror does not verify the claims made by adver tisers regarding their products

Ashley Cairns Chris Colverd Sean Ferris

Karen Foreman David Foster Jonathan Hardy

Cindy Hedmann Mark Jankovich Hamish Maclean

O’Regan Nick Sellens Jill Slingsby

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Clubs join Dransfields for afternoon of fun and game

At the t ail end of 2022, clubs headed over to Leicester's Nottingham Oddfellows Club for a free, fun af ternoon of enter t ain-ment cour tesy of Dransfields, co-hosted by Club Mirror

West End Wicked st ar Rebecca Gilliland dropped in to per form a blockbusting hit, while Dransfields’ enter t ainment system, Spotlight, saw guests put on their thinking caps for a challenging quiz Brain food was kindly provided by Pukka Pies

• See pages 56-57.

The CMAE’s 2022 European Conference on Club Management has been hailed a success

The four day programme included education sessions, keynote speakers, networking and plenty of free time for delegates to enjoy the various activities on of fer around Tenerife

High profile presenters included the CEO of the Congressional Country Club

Jef frey Kreafle, John Glendinning, CEO of the Wisley Golf Club, personal development coach Nick Taylor and Director of Mindswing Nick Lees • cmaeurope.org

CAMRA Super Round Winners announced

The four Super Round Winners in C AMRA’s Club of the Year competition, run in association with Club Mirror have been announced (see pages 8-9 for details) As we go to press, four C AMRA judges, including Club Mirror ’s Sean Ferris (below) are touring the countr y to determine which club will become the supreme champion

Celebrating Young Ambassadors

The Club Awards’ new peoplefocussed categories now include the Young Ambassadors Recognition Awards Bush Hill Park Golf Club’s inspirat-ional PGA Professional Nicola Bennett was presented with her cer tificate by the CIU’s Nathan Clarke (see right), before being inter viewed on stage by spor ts presenter and Awards host John Inverdale

•See page 52 for full details.

Black Sheep Brewery celebrates its 30th

Centennial clubs praised at the Club Awards

The longevity of clubs around the UK is proof of their value to their members and their impor t ance within their communities Congratulations to all clubs who have reached their 100 milestone and beyond!

• blacksheepbrewery.com

• See pages 16-17.

CMA European Club Management Conference

In tribute to its 30th Bir thday, Black Sheep Brewer y has launched Thir ty, a gingerbreadinfused oak-aged imperial stout (9% ABV)

The West End comes to Leicester (above) Below (l to r): Gerr y Sutcliffe inter views Spor ts Pres-enter John Inverdale, Pukka Pies provides quiz brain food with prizes from hosts Dransfields

Club Awards hailed a resounding success

Now in their 30th year, all elements of club life were recognised at the 2022 Club Awards, as we joined together to celebrate all that ’s great about clubs across the UK, throwing a spotlight on the vit al role that clubs play in their communities

The ingenuity and drive of clubs across the country was applauded at the star-studded event, with guests welcomed to the Leicester venue by the city’s Lord Mayor • For the full report, turn to pages 11-55.

Body calls for low/no consultation Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability

Alcohol social responsibility body and mar keting regulat or The P or tman Group (t he alcohol social responsibility body and mar keting regulat or) is calling on t he gover nment t o do more t o encourage t he upt ake of low and no alcohol alt er natives

Recent research from YouGov shows t hat, af t er years of rapid growt h, t he low/no mar ket is showing signs of levelling out The Gover nment, said t he body, is overdue t o launch a consult ation t o seek views on updating t he t er minology around how products below 1 2% ABV are mar ket ed This is a key source of confusion f or consumers and t he consult ation should see more alignment wit h global descriptions of low/no and encourage even fur t her upt ake of t hese alt er natives t o alcohol

The research shows t hat 29% of alcohol drinkers now also semi-regular ly drink alcohol alt er natives The t op reason cit ed f or doing so is being able t o drive home saf ely from social events and one in six of t hose who have tried low/no say t heir alcohol consumption has reduced since f irs t tr ying t hem This demons trat es t he positive role of low/no, encouraging

moderat e and responsible drinking, and a consult ation would push t his even fur t her

Ma tt La mbe r t, CEO, th e Por tm an Group , s aid: “ The variety and availability of low and no alcoholic drinks has never been s tronger, ref lecting a huge increase in consumer popularity

“ We are calling on t he gover nment t o launch t he low -alcohol descript ors consult ation t his year t o give fur t her suppor t t o t he low and no alcohol sect or It has been expect ed f or near ly two years, but given t he turbulent political year t his hasn’ t been prioritised This is an impor t ant review which should see alignment wit h global descript ors and give anot her push t o t his innovative cat egor y which is an active subs titut e f or alcohol and suppor ts moderat e drinking ” •portmangroup.org.uk

Delphis Eco team recognised for the production of its award-winning, ecological cleaning range

“A business making an outstanding contribution to sustainability and one of only a very few companies to be singled out for recognition through these prestigious awards” was how The Deputy Lieutenant of

Greater London, Christopher Wellbelove, described British-made Delphis Eco when he presented CEO, Mark Jankovich, with the highly coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2022

• For details on the company and its products turn to page 66.

All for charity

We are Sue Ryder

The ‘ We Are Sue Ryder ’ campaign, highlights the rewarding and hear twarming moments a career in palliative care can of fer, celebrating the lasting impact palliative care nurses can have on patients and their loved ones at the end of life

Sue Ryder announced that it is facing the worst recruitment challenge in its 65 year-long histor y This is symptomatic of the wider nursing crisis, with one in 10 nurse posts in England currently unfilled across the entire profession

“ Working at Sue Ryder you’ll be par t of a multidisciplinar y team working in a

Supported by

highly rewarding area of nursing, helping people live the best lives they possibly can,” says the charity “And you’re given the time to care

“If you want more than just a job, we want you Join our team and be there when it matters ”

• sueryderorg/jobs/careers-inpalliative-care

Four clubs contend for national title

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Club of the Year competition, run in conjunction with Club Mirror, has announced the top four Real Ale clubs in the country. And as we go to press, the supreme champion is ready to be announced!

The top four Real Ale clubs across the UK have been announced at the 2022 Club Awards as part of CAMRA’s Club of the Year competition 2022, run in association with Club Mirror

From 14 regional finalists, four Super Round Winners were congratulated on stage, and all are now setting their sights high, hoping to become the supreme overall winner

As we go to press Club Mirror’s Club Ambassador Sean Ferris was one of four Myster Judges travelling the country to sample the real ale offerings and true club welcomes from the four outstanding Super Round winners – Barnton Cricket Club, Cheltenham Motor Club, Dobcross Band Social Club and Marden Village Club.

The final result will appear at clubmirror.com and will be posted via all social media accounts Get ready to celebrate!

A bove: C AMRA HQ congratulat es Super Round W inners at the Club Awar ds Right : Mar den V illage Club Below r ight : Bar t on Cr icke t Club Far lef t and below lef t : Chelt enham Mo t or Club. A bove lef t and below: Sean Fer r is visits the Dobcross Band Social Club

Ov er 80% of alcohol complaints r elat e t o under-18s, sa ys r epor t

A ccor ding t o a new r epor t fr om indus tr y watchdog t he P or tman Gr oup, 85% of complaints about alcoholic mar ke ting and pack aging wer e consider ed wit h r egar d t o t heir appeal t o t he under18s.

An Independent Complaints Panel examined whether alcohol packaging and marketing had particular appeal to under18s, as awareness grows for the harms of underage drinking. The same report found that Alcohol producers across the industry were more likely to seek advice and guidance to avoid marketing having particular appeal to under-18s, than any other category

The Independent Complaints Panel reviewed more complaints about products appealing to under 18s in 2022 than any other category However, the majority (76%) of complaints were not upheld, indicating a strong alignment between producers in the sector and the Code of Practice, with alcohol producers across the industry more likely to seek advice and guidance to avoid marketing having particular appeal to under-18s, than any other category

The increase in complaints coincides with a fall in underage drinking worldwide, ‘highlighting the increased awareness and action from producers to ensure that alcohol marketing does not have a particular appeal to people under the age of 18’

Complaints which raise concerns that alcohol marketing may have particular appeal to under18s are considered under the Portman Group’s Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of alcoholic drinks Complaints in the category this year included products which used shimmering liquid and interactive elements such as lights and illustrations, which meant the overall impression of the packaging had a particular appeal to under-18s.

This year, the Panel upheld a complaint under the Code of Practice on Alcohol Sponsorship. A complaint against premium spirits brand, Jatt Life’s sponsorship of the luxury driving event was upheld under a number of Code rules including using images of those who were, or looked as if they were, under 25

The Portman Group has regulated alcohol sponsorship since 2003 and has a Code that ensures children are protected from alcohol marketing at sports, music and cultural events and that marketing is appropriate

These regulations have been hugely effective, contributing to over a decade of declines in underage drinking across the UK, according to Matt Lambert, CEO the Portman Group.

“As a self-regulatory body, we work effectively with a responsible sector to ensure that we elimi-

nate irresponsible marketing, and discourage under 18’s from being attracted to alcohol There are a number of practical industry schemes which have been hugely effective in reducing the occurrence of underage drinking in the UK, and the Portman Group is proud to stand with them in playing our role in reducing harmful drinking,” he said. “This is an approach that we know works, with many producers using their brands to showcase responsibility messages at major events, for example

“It is positive to see producers continuing to take advantage of our Advisory Service to ensure that their products comply with the Portman Group’s Codes of Practice, and we encourage others to do so to help eliminate underage drinking ”

The report also finds that the Portman Group did not issue any Retailer Alert Bulletins this year. All producers whose products were upheld under the Code chose to work with the Advisory Service to revise any products in question or voluntarily removed the products from market, without the requirement for stronger enforcement action

ABOUT THE PORTMAN GROUP

For over 25 years, the Por tman Group’s Code of Practice for the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks has sought to ensure that alcohol is promoted in a socially responsible way

The Code, says the Group, has helped create an industr y that works ef fectively within the context of a self-regulator y model, while encouraging design, innovation, and creativity

• www por tmangroups org uk

It is positive to see producers continuing to take advantage of our Advisor y Ser vice to ensure that their products comply with the Por tman Group’s Codes of Practice.

Welcome to the Club Awards

The Club Awards night of celebration, held at the Athena, Leicester, began with an exclusive drinks reception courtesy of Club Mirror and Layloo Then followed the main event, with West End artistes from The Phoenix Art Club opening up the eventing with a spectacular rendition of the Greatest Showman, replete with fire eaters, sword swallowers and axe balancers.

Sean Ferris and the City’s Lord Mayor and Mayoress welcomed guests, followed by a Loyal Toast to absent friends and to new monarch King Charles III Further interludes included the ever-popular Bee Bop Bingo from Dransfields, and a live rendition of Living in a Hall of Fame, as the King of Clubs was announced Oh what a night!

Welcome t o the Club Awards

As Leicester lit up for one of its most exciting events of the year, the Club Mirror and Club Awards team welcomed guests to Athena for a welcoming drinks reception before the main event.

Clubland’s Cent enar y celebrations

Congr atulations t o all t he clubs ar ound t he countr y who have hit t heir Cent enar y and beyond.

Welcome t o t he Club Awar ds 100 Club!

The longevity of clubs around the UK is proof of their value to their members and their importance within their communities Masters of their own destiny, Clubland manages to change and adapt according to the needs of its members and whatever economic climate they find themselves in. The 100 Club presentations at the Club Awards paid tribute to them all.

AND THE 2022 T OP 100 CLUBS RECOGNISED WERE:

The ultimate fun experience

Drans elds SPOTLIGHT is a state-of-the-art audio visual platform delivering the best entertainment to your venue and giving your customers lots of fun with the ultimate entertainment experience.

Spotlight is modular system that enables a club to tailor it to their needs, whilst allowing instant upgrades to bring in additional features on a pay-as-you-use basis

Best deals, best service, best choice

Drans elds is the UK’s largest independent supplier of gaming and amusement machines to private members clubs, pubs and the licensed trade. With over 75 years’ club and pub industry experience, we have unrivalled expertise and are able to provide the very highest levels of service and support to help you maximise pro ts for your venue.

JOINT WINNER

Bar Manager/Bar Steward of the Year

Paul Collier & Lynda Callaghan, Bellingham Ex-Servicemen’s & Social Club

Paul and Lynda are at the helm of this impressive South East London club which has recently invested in a major refurbishment, leading to an increase in bar trade and new members The team are proud that the club is an important hub for the local community with live entertainment taking place every weekend and throughout the year They also host events for the Armed Services, including the annual commemoration of the sinking of the HMS Hood in World War II. The club is also a proud custodian of the large adjoining Allerford Garden of Remembrance which pays tribute to fallen heroes.

JOINT WINNER

Neil Way, Cheltenham Motor Club

Neil Way and the Cheltenham Motor Club are no stranger to awards, having been a three-times winner of the CAMRA Club of the Year, run in association with Club Mirror. Visitors to the club find a warm welcome from Neil at the bar which boasts six real ales and three real ciders on tap. It also features a draught German beer, a bottled Belgian beer range and two craft keg lines. The judges continue to be impressed by Neil’s consistent enthusiam for his role, ensuring that standards are maintained and variety introduced, with a highlight of the year being a highly popular beer festival.

Bellingham Ex-Ser vicemen’s & Social Club (lef t) and Chelt enham Mo t or Club receive their Awar ds fr om Ger r y Sutclif fe, for mer Spor ts Minist er (far r ight)

Bowls Club of the Year

Penn Bowling & Social Club

Penn Bowling & Social Club is used by the British Crown Green Bowling Association for both Youth and Senior County matches It has over 12 Bowling Teams and, like so many other UK clubs, embraced the opportunity of lockdowns to refurbish the club, including the Members Lounge and Function Room. The club was proud to hold its first Beer Festival since lockdown, a three day Festival with live entertainment and hot food, 22 real ales and multiple flavoured ciders Charity is close to the club’s heart, and its 2022 Macmillan Charity night raised over £7000 It also supports a local school for children with special needs as well as Compton Hospice and the Haven who support vulnerable women and children The club also restructured, moving away from the traditional Club Steward appointment in favour of having a General Manager at the helm

Business Initiative of the Year

Mortonhall Golf Club

Mortonhall Golf Club, Edinburgh, walked away with the title of Business Initiative of the Year, thanks to its enterprising greenkeeping equipment rental business. Last year saw the Edinburgh club pivot from being a renter of equipment to becoming an owner and renting assets to others. The club purchased one of the first tractor-mounted VGR TopChanger devices in the UK The machine uses high pressure water and a vacuum effect to inject sand into greens and other areas of the course This not only improved the health and quality of its greens, but also generated significant additional revenue for the club by providing VGR services to other golf clubs and athletic organisations across the Central Belt of Scotland and in the UK Cash payback of the £28 5k investment was less than 18 months

P enn Bowling & Social Club seized vict or y once again Present ed by John Inver dale (far lef t) and A bi Br owne (r ight)

John Inver dale (lef t) congratulat es the t eam fr om Mor t onhall Golf Club for their inspir ing business initiative.

CAMRA Super Round Winners

Barnton Cricket Club

Cheltenham Motor Club

Dobcross Band Social Club Marden Village Club

For the 10th year running, the Club Awards welcomed CAMRA Head Office officials on stage to announce 2022’s four Super Round Winners in the annual CAMRA Club of the Year competition, run in association with Club Mirror This year ’ s Super Round Winners were announced as the Cheltenham Motor Club from Cheltenham, Marden Village Club from Kent, Dobcross Band Social Club in Greater Manchester and Barnton Cricket Club, Cheshire All four hope to lift the ultimate trophy, CAMRA Club of the Year, after the final judging has been undertaken by the CAMRA team and by Club Ambassador Sean Ferris, Club Mirror

SPONSORED

The C AMRA Super Round W inners, all hoping t o win the ultimat e pr ize – C AMRA Club of the Year, r un in association with Club Mir r or.

Catering Club of the Year

Cobham Sports & Social Club

Cobham Sports & Social Club constantly reinvest in its catering offering This year saw the installation of an outdoors wood burning oven and smoker which proved invaluable throughout the summer, cooking everything from lamb souvlaki to ribs and chicken, all finished off with handmade BBQ sauces and garnishes. The menus change daily, enabling the team to source fresh, high quality local, seasonal foods, and there are plenty of gluten free and vegan options available Winter menus include the ever popular Sunday Roasts, along with handmade pies and cider-glazed pork belly using local apples, while match-watching sports fans enjoy the selection of ‘keep-your-eyes-on-the-screen’ hand-held foods

Charity Club of the Year

Consett AFC

This year Consett AFC has raised an impressive £50,000 for the North East Air Ambulance, £20,000 for the Willow Burn Hospice Charity (which translates to an extra five beds across their hospices) and has helped the YMCA and firefighters to raise £5,000 for their community cadets initiative. The club is heavily involved in disability football as well as helping people with learning disabilities and their carers to get involved with the club both in terms of playing and socially The team also works with the local council to help young people who are out of work to achieve qualifications and get support in finding employment

W ith a focus on fresh food and inspir ing menus Cobham Spor ts & Social Club ear ned their place on the Club Awar ds st age

Dransf ields MD Chr is Haley (r ight) congratulat es an amazing club with char ity and community well-being at its hear t.

CIU Club of the Year

Hereford Richmond Place Club

JOINT WINNER

This club successfully relaunched after the pandemic and is swiftly moving towards preCOVID levels of trade. It remains a community hub for all ages and interests, with live entertainment a major part of the club’s appeal, from bands and solo singers, covering a wide array of musical styles Wedding receptions are a good revenue stream with the club able to set up an indoor marquee in the Concert Room, and the club holds regular fund raisers

Herne Bay Ex-Servicemen’s Club & Institute

JOINT WINNER

Founded in 1921, Herne Bay Ex-Servicemen's Club is a much-loved meeting place for former members of the armed services and their families, as well as local people drawn by the friendly atmosphere and amenities The club nearly closed for good in June 2021 but a new team set about ensuring that the club would not be lost forever A special AGM was held with over 200 people in attendance and the new team set out their plans to save the club The club reopened in November 2021, just in time for Remembrance Weekend, and has not looked back since.

Lindley Liberal Club

JOINT WINNER

Founded in 1889 with 2100 members, the club describes itself as socially active within the community with several groups using the club as its base, including Lindley Chimes (over 65s), Lions clubs and RAFA clubs, plus a chess club, book clubs, stamp and coin clubs, an operatics group and Heartliners who bowl three times a week during the season. Also: bowling teams, dominoes, cricket teams, snooker and billiards. Recently the club held a charity night for the Ukraine, raising £1135.44 on the night.

Congratulations t o Les Walker and his t eam fr om Herefor d Richmond Place Club on a well-deser ved win.

A new Committ ee has seen the club f ight of f planned closure, congratulat ed by CIU V ice-President Ken Rober ts CMD A CM (r ight)

CIU V ice-President Ken Rober ts CMD A CM (r ight) welcomes Lindley Liberal Club on st age

The ultimate fun experience

Drans elds SPOTLIGHT is a state-of-the-art audio visual platform delivering the best entertainment to your venue and giving your customers lots of fun with the ultimate entertainment experience.

Spotlight is modular system that enables a club to tailor it to their needs, whilst allowing instant upgrades to bring in additional features on a pay-as-you-use basis

Best deals, best service, best choice

Drans elds is the UK’s largest independent supplier of gaming and amusement machines to private members clubs, pubs and the licensed trade. With over 75 years’ club and pub industry experience, we have unrivalled expertise and are able to provide the very highest levels of service and support to help you maximise pro ts for your venue.

Committee of the Year

New Eltham Social Club and Institute Society

The club’s Committee work well as a team and are committed to helping out whenever needed, from selling raffle tickets, compering entertainment nights and arranging quiz nights to organising days out for members and arranging holidays abroad. The club has a new website which is updated by a Committee member, and a social media platform is used to let members know about upcoming activities at the club The Committee has also overseen a major refurbishment during lockdown, has installed an outside Defibrillator for use by the local community and has worked closely with the Local Council to raise funds to purchase another unit to be installed outside local shops A packed entertainment schedule keeps them all busy with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and late Sunday afternoons

Thanks to all our sponsors

The Committ ee fr om New Eltham Social Club and Institut e Socie ty are congratulat ed by Belle Ridene fr om Higos (far r ight)

Community Club of the Year

The Holbeck

JOINT WINNER

When Covid hit, The Holbeck repurposed itself as a social care referral unit and foodbank. Working in partnership with the city council, members and supporters, by the end of June 2021 the club’s foodbank had delivered over 15,000 food parcels. The club was recognised in national newspapers as well as the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, and when indoor theatre shows were allowed again, the first performance was a cabaret for the volunteers The club is a vital community asset which is determined to be accessible to everyone through a phased programme of capital improvements A Cultural Community College also operated out of The Holbeck offering Pay What You Decide courses in everything from Indian cooking to fire eating

The Village Club RAOB

JOINT WINNER

This Cambridgeshire club runs coffee afternoons and book swaps for members and non-members. With a number of older people in the village living alone, this is recognised as a great way for them to interact with others Outings, day trips, bingo sessions, quizzes and entertainment ensure a real community spirit, from the very young to the very old The Fenman Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes hold regular meetings at the club raising money for local charities as well as for a community defibrillator, now installed outside the club Stewardess Louise Hall was particularly praised for her commitment to the community, including collecting shopping for those unable to leave home due to Covid-isolating or illness.

Club Contr ol’s Chr is Mcnally (out of sho t) was pr oud t o present The Holbeck with their joint Community Club of the Year Awar d

Congratulations t o The V illage Club RA OB for their outst anding wor k in the community.

The ultimate fun experience

Drans elds SPOTLIGHT is a state-of-the-art audio visual platform delivering the best entertainment to your venue and giving your customers lots of fun with the ultimate entertainment experience.

Spotlight is modular system that enables a club to tailor it to their needs, whilst allowing instant upgrades to bring in additional features on a pay-as-you-use basis

Best deals, best service, best choice

Drans elds is the UK’s largest independent supplier of gaming and amusement machines to private members clubs, pubs and the licensed trade. With over 75 years’ club and pub industry experience, we have unrivalled expertise and are able to provide the very highest levels of service and support to help you maximise pro ts for your venue.

Introducing the Club Awards Community Heroes

New for this year, Club Mirror introduced the Community Heroes Recognition Awards, saluting the individuals who continue to make such an imact in all that they do at the club, with their members and within their communities. A huge congratulations to all of you who joined the Club Awards on the night, and to all of you who couldn’t get away from club business. We salute you all!

Debbie Sanders, Bush Hill P ar k Golf Club

William Welsh, Colville P ar k Countr y Club

Sam Cair ns, Colville P ar k Countr y Club

Deborah Wriggleswor t h, Hamster ley & District Social Club

Shelly Walker, Hamster ley & District Social Club

Nigel Wilkinson, Hawarden P ar k Cricket Club

Dar rell A bey, Illston A bey Cricket Club

Marc Sleigh, Lindley Liberal Club

Dawn Fawcett, Secret ar y, Lindley Liberal Club

Stephen Osgood, Sarisbur y At hletic Cricket Club

Michael P oyner Sarisbur y At hletic Cricket Club

Marianne Ar mstrong, Spa Golf Club

Lexi Mutonga, St ansted Mountf itchet Social Club

Kirstin Kersey, St ansted Mountf itchet Social Club

John Ettridge, Swanley Rugby F ootball Club

Stuar t Tate, Swanley Rugby F ootball Club

Louise Hall, The Village Club RAOB

Thanks to all our sponsors

It’s the Champions League

Cricket Club of the Year

Blackpool Cricket Club

Founded in 1925, Blackpool Cricket Club is proud host of the Lancashire Games It has undertaken a major push on women ’ s and juniors cricket, and aims to make cricket accessible to all This includes improving disabled access into the clubhouse and club premises, as well as setting up a Junior’s Kit Exchange, where kit which is no longer used can be donated. To ensure that the club is financially viable out of season with year round revenue, entertainment is a key part of club life, from hosting quiz nights to bands and beer festivals

Its Food & Beverage arm is another valuable source of income, catering for everything from business lunches through to weddings and funerals, with a clubhouse menu available from Wednesdays to Sundays

Thanks to all our sponsors

JOINT WINNER

Diversity Club of the Year The Holbeck Moor FC

From LGBT+ football supporter groups and community choirs to children’s charity KidzKlub, local prayer groups, refugee groups and community choirs and orchestras, the club is described as ‘ a home for all those that need a space to do something that might bring joy and satisfaction’ The club’s launch of Holbeck Moor FC has seen barriers to participation removed, with childcare, kit and transport funded for over 150 people It has won community awards for inclusion and participation, featuring in the national press, and in June the club hosted a Jubilee party for 150 guests from six key community partners, including charities for children and elderly people.

JOINT WINNER

Phoenix Arts Club

Phoenix Arts Club serves diverse audiences in an area where 39% of children come from low-income families The club often runs free entry events for its local community, as well as for Persons of Colour (Lounge Onyx Cabaret, RepresentAsian, The Cocoa Butter Club), the trans community (The Enby Show, Camden LGBTQ+ Forum) and older audiences (Coda Club, Misty Moon). It also welcomed the LGBT+ Military Charity Fighting With Pride on Remembrance Sunday, after their veterans (including venue owner Ken Wright) were allowed to march as part of the Cenotaph service for the first time ever

Fr om the Nor th, it’s The Holbeck Moor FC and fr om the South, it’s Phoenix Ar ts Club! Present ed by Club Contr ol’s Chr is McNally (far r ight).

SPONSORED

Entertainment Club of the Year

Phoenix Arts Club

JOINT WINNER JOINT WINNER

The Phoenix Arts Club welcomes hundreds of performers annually, acting as a stepping stone for new and emerging performers. When Covid hit, the club enlisted the support of leading cabaret and musical talent, streaming online weekly shows which achieved a record 50,000+ views at their peak, and to celebrate opening its doors again Post Covid, the club threw a starstudded Reopening Night Party During lockdowns the club planned even bigger and better shows, diversifying its programme through partnerships with international producers and promoters to include shows from Broadway theatre-filling acts Notable nights have included Al Murray, Frank Skinner, Paul Chowdhry and Broadway Musical Director Drew Gasparini. Another initiative is The Phoenix Academy which now features weekly workshops and classes covering everything from stand-up comedy to drag and drawing classes.

Stansted Mountfitchet Social Club

Stansted Mountfitchet Social Club was founded in 1888 and boasts over 1,000 members. Renowned for some of the best entertainment in Essex, record sales on entertainment evenings have enabled the club to undertake an extensive refurbishment This included installing more big screens in its bars so that more members and guests can enjoy live streaming of its bands and acts It also re-opened its Snooker Hall, enlisting the support of snooker legend Jimmy White and now supports an up and coming 14 year old dart player trying to get a tour card Monthly mailshots keep everyone up to date with events, promotions and entertainment, and the team is proud that after a change of management the club’s position has gone from one which nearly closed to the in-place to go in the village and further afield.

Phoenix Ar ts Club pr oved their wor th with their stunning opening act, The Great est Showman.

S t anst ed Mountf itche t Social Club, renowned as must-go-t o venue in Essex.

GREENE KING IPA HAS THE HIGHEST ROS WHERE CUSTOMERS HAVE THE MOST CHOICE*

Family Club of the Year

Tattenhall Recreation Club

Tattenhall Recreation Club in Chester, caters for all age groups from families with juniors, to students and seniors, with Cricket, Croquet, Tennis and Football sections, two Squash/Racketball courts, a state-of-the-art gym and a large, welcoming Club Bar with outdoor decking and patio area. It runs several familybased events each year, not least of all the Queen’s Jubilee four day event. There are a number of refugees in the locality and the club extends its family spirit to them with free entry to the club and free activities for children

Throughout the summer the club holds the ‘Friday Flacker’ where all the local families are invited along to the club for games, fun and refreshments

Football Club of the Year

Consett Association Football Club

Consett AFC fields 130 teams every week with everyone welcome to get involved They range from Children's Football – upwards of 1500 kids playing football every weekend - to Disability Football and Walking Football for older age groups. The club has an army of volunteers as well as full-time and part-time staff helping to deliver football coaching across the community, including running programmes in schools It has a long-standing partnership with Newcastle United to steer 16-18 year olds into education with vocational BTEC sports courses, giving them pathways into jobs associated with football and sport in general The club also works with a number of clubs right across the North West and North East to help them draft sustainable business plans for their club

Congratulations for Tattenhall Recreation Club for securing this impor tant Award Presented by Club Control’s Chris McNally (right)

Conse tt AFC’s commitment t o its club and br oader community is excep tional, congratulat ed by BT Spor t’s A bi Br owne

Golf Club of the Year

Bush Hill Park Golf Club (under £1.5m turnover)

Bush Hill Park Golf Club has had a busy 2022, refurbishing its spike bar to become a contemporary Sports Bar while totally revamping the catering offering to include a more modern menu, signature dishes and a full breakfast menu. A Women’s Golf Programme has seen 55 women embark upon a beginners course and the club engages with local schools to provide opportunities for children who may not ordinarily have access to the sport This year the club has undergone a complete restructure, becoming incorporated as a Limited Company following recommendations from England Golf The club has also re-attained its SafeGolf Accreditation, and during Covid the club donated perishable food to local homeless charities It became 2021’s England Golf Club of the Year in the Travellers' Choices Awards.

Formby

Golf

Club

(over £1.5m turnover)

The club hosted the Legends Tour in August 2022 as well as in July 2021, a particular challenge with a number of Covid restrictions still in place. Nevertheless, the complex tournament saw 10,000 people come through the club gates, along with 400 volunteers to act as scorers and marshalls The Greenkeeping team won praise for excellent course conditions despite losing almost 1,000 trees to storms, and 18 projects were carried out as part of the course architects plan of improvements The Club also completely refurbished its six Dormy rooms Social media plays an important part in the club’s success, with an Instagram following of over 4,000 followers, while the week around the Legends Tour event saw over 387,000 twitter impressions, and a Facebook reach of almost 74,000. The club reports that 2022 has been a record year for club revenue.

An amazing tur nout fr om our Golf Clubs this year. Congratulations t o the t eam fr om Bush Hill P ar k .

S tuar t Leech, General Manager of For mby Golf Club, celebrat es success

SPONSORED

The Holbeck

The Holbeck won Innovative Club of the Year for a broad collection of initiatives across its operation The club sits within a community that scores highly on a number of poverty indices, and the club takes its social responsibility in that context very seriously, launching a ‘Pay What You Decide’ policy to ensure that the club is accessible to all. It hosts English as a Second Language courses for those newly arrived in the country and when the Covid crisis arrived, the club closed its bar and repurposed itself as a social care referral unit and foodbank The Holbeck foodbank delivered over 15,000 food parcels to local families in need over a 15 month period and was recognised in numerous national newspapers as well as the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list It helped to set up a football club which is free and open to everyone, with childcare, kit and transport funded for over 150 people

Innovative Club of the Year Long Service Awards

• Stephen Burke, Cotterills Lane Social Club

• Lisa Parker, Cotterills Lane Social Club

• Tim Bolton, Golcar Central Liberal Club

• Bob Mullen, Midland Band Social Club

• Charlie Robards, Rugby Cricket Club

• Thomas Binding, Rugby Cricket Club

• Peter Davis, South Wigston Conservative Club

• Richard Jones, Tiverton Constitutional Club

• Vince Ruttledge, Worthing Pavilion Bowling Club

SPONSORED

• Michelle Eker, BBC Club

Manager/Secretary of the Year

Maurice Champeau, Crookes Social Club

With a 500-capacity Concert room to fill, Maurice’s biggest success this year has been teaming up with national event promoters Sellout audiences quickly followed, and the room is now booked almost every Thursday to Sunday until June 2023. Maurice hosts many events aimed at minority communities and groups, including Polish Comedy Nights, Ukrainian meet and greet events and West Indian parties and funerals. The club is currently in the process of being assessed for accreditation by Attitude Is Everything to demonstrate its commitment to deaf and disabled customers Maurice relies heavily on TripAdvisor, Google and Facebook feedback to measure performance, and is proud to be the TripAdvisor No1 night-time venue in Sheffield

Marketing Club of the Year

Tiverton Constitutional Club

Tiverton Constitutional Club set up an informal Marketing/Media focal group which is supported by the Club Secretary and Committee. Marketing activities are recognised as being key to success and the club continues to prove its resourcefulness it is when it comes to media recognition. The Committee, for example, helped develop a Community Radio Station with Dave Wood of Twyford Internet Radio, and also worked with a production company to promote Tiverton, with the shows being filmed at the club The Irish in the UK TV show Out & About is on Sky 191 (Episode 66 and Episode 82) and can also be viewed at www theirishintheuktv com as well as on their Facebook page Devon Live is another media route actively pursued, and Facebook is the vehicle used to alert members to activities at the club.

Belle Ridene fr om Higos congratulat es Maur ice Champeau, Cr ookes Social Club for his well-deser ved win.

Tiver ton Constitutional Club are congratulated by the team at Studio 44 for their innovative and consistent marketing campaigns

Refurbishment Club of the Year

City of London Club

The City of London Club celebrated its 190th year by completing a 23-month construction project which converted the upper floors into 20 rooms Now, the club has shifted from a 9-5 Monday to Friday operation to operating seven days a week with breakfast, lunch and dinner now served, including evening Tiffin boxes (curries served informally in Tiffin tins). As a result of the refurbishment, the club has been able to build its function business, from weddings to corporate events and the 1,100-member club reports that the club is in a great position to move forward and write a new chapter as it heads towards its double centenary, just nine years away!

Thanks to all our sponsors

A ce Fur niture’s Graeme Miller (r ight) congratulat es the City of London’s Edwar d Plunke t-Checkemian on a game-changing refurbishment

Rugby Club of the Year

Canterbury Rugby Football Club

Learnings from the first lockdown saw Canterbury RFC determined to grow business and to look at ways in which it could add value to the wider community It engaged with businesses to help improve facilities, including more wheelchair access and covered match viewing areas. A pop-up restaurant named Saucy Flo's was launched offering quality menus for breakfast, lunch and evening meals and a Sunday roast club was formed on the back of it. The restaurant is now recognised as an eatingout destination in Canterbury A strength and conditioning gym, CT Barbell, was also launched, and the club sought and was awarded grants to finance and launch a girls rugby section It’s fundraising efforts have been widely applauded, and social media is well used to expand the club’s reach

Thanks to all our sponsors

Cant erbur y RFC - pr oud joint winner of Rugby Club of the Year, present ed by the RFU’s Chr is Sk aife

Social Media Club of the Year

Hartford Golf Club

Hartford Golf Club has a large social media following across five channels, with Facebook and Twitter netting around 10,000 followers

Described as an extremely busy social hub for golfers of all abilities and ages, the club gained media attention when it changed the colour of its tee markers from colours traditionally suited to male and female golfers to new ones with shorter holes and pars relative to ability rather than gender. As a result, the club has been featured on SKY News (viewable at https://youtu be/h6RHd7SxWjE) as well as appearing in Golf Digest, Today’s Golfer and The Times newspaper

Sports & Social Club of the Year

Cobham Sports and Social Club

Cobham Sports and Social Club has done a roaring trade since lockdown Staff were paid in full during the pandemic shutdown so they were raring to go when it reopened, reports the club. The club is now at capacity in terms of members with a healthy waiting list. In addition to its many sports activities, members can enjoy sports screenings on two 3m x 4m screens, live country music bands, tribute acts, the Chuckle Club, exceptional catering and regular fundraisers

Four new outdoor gazebos with lighting and power were installed, and proved a winner with members Sited near the children's play area they proved particularly popular with families during the summer

SPONSORED BY

Social Media is a power ful tool in the club armour y The Studio 44 team congratulate Har tford Golf Club for using their weaponr y wisely

Hear ty congratulations went t o Cobham Spor ts and Social Club, present ed by Club Insure’s Daniel Cracknell (far r ight)

Sports Club of the Year

York Sports Club

JOINT WINNER

York Sports Club’s Clifton Park site is home to Rugby, Tennis, Cricket and Squash clubs. York RUFC has over 700 members, including junior and seniors for both male and female players, plus a Cavaliers team for veterans as well as an extensive Youth Development section. The Tennis Club has over 350 members, 150 of which are junior players, 16 teams and six Astro floodlit courts The Cricket Club, now over 200 years old, has a membership in excess of 350 players spanning men ’ s and women ’ s teams at junior and senior levels The site also hosts York Squash Club on its four squash courts

Roehampton Club

JOINT WINNER

Roehampton Club has had a busy 12 months, investing £1m in a new air hall to provide 10 indoor courts during the winter. It has also invested £400k in new solar panels with a forecasted payback of four years using 90% of generated electricity, and a further £150k was invested in additional drainage systems to capture rain and ground water back into the club’s water harvesting tank for re-use The club develops its youngsters in every sport to be stars of the future with hundreds enjoying swimming, golf, tennis and squash lessons every term, demand has increased to such an extent that the club now boasts a three year waiting list

Yor k Spor ts Club picked up the Nor ther n Spor t Club of the Year, present ed by Club Insure’s Daniel Cracknell (far r ight)

Fr om the South, congratulations went t o Roehamp t on Club, collect ed by CEO Marc Newey CCM CCE FCIMSPA

JOINT WINNER

Turnaround Club of the Year

Coombs Wood Sports & Social Club

After a difficult period during lockdown, Coombs Wood Sports & Social Club has managed to transform its fortunes with the arrival of new Steward Dawn Bubb, who set about revitalising the club Food is now a focal point with street food events proving particularly popoular, and members now enjoy weekend events and bands, alongside the club’s sporting activities (the club has Cricket, Bowls and Football sections) New furnishings have been introduced, and new contacts sourced within the club’s supply chain to ensure that members can enjoy a breadth of offering and excellent value for money.

JOINT WINNER

RAF Association Club – Banbury

The RAF Association Club, Banbury, founded in 1948, struggled both structurally and financially during the Pandemic As a result, the club was faced with two options – close, or come up with a radical restructure to save the club As the club is the only operational Tri-Service Veterans Community Hub within a 50 mile radius, the choice was obvious and restructuring began, with two new Committees formed for the Branch and the club. The club was able to reopen its doors post lockdowns to provide a welcoming environment for military veterans, now open during the day as well as the evening. Darts teams are now in situ, and the club will be used as a central Welfare Hub for the community All initial aims and objectives have been achieved and the club is now flourishing

The innovative means with which these two clubs tur ned ar ound their for tunes was applauded by Club Mir r or ’s HQ Building the Business

Website of the Year

BBC Club

The BBC Club has launched a brand new website, upgraded and fully searchable with a dedicated members-only area As the club has such a diverse portfolio of offerings, the challenge has been getting the information across with the fewest number of clicks, reports the club. It is proud of the result. The site champions local businesses in an offers section, and is introducing a comprehensive well-being area featuring videos, podcasts and webinars, and more in partnership with Manchester Stress Institute The site is also used by Club ambassadors to engage with small local businesses, bringing awareness, offers and competition prizes to the attention of members, from Italian coffees and pastries at a local coffee shop in Salford to a ‘deal on a do’ with a hair salon in London

Thanks to all our sponsors

Young Ambassadors

New this year was the Young Ambassadors Recognition Award While many of the candidates were too young to attend the event, representatives from their clubs were there in force to collect the certificates

Bush Hill Park Golf Club’s PGA Professional Nicola Bennett was invited on stage for an interview after the screening of a short BBC News video in which she appeared (viewable at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-englandlondon-61496951) Nicola, the only black female professional golfer in the UK, is a Golf Foundation Ambassador committed to expanding reach and inclusivity within the sport

Young Ambassadors of the Year

• Nicola Bennett, Bush Hill Park Golf Club

• Owen Ford, Hawarden Park Cricket Club

• Alex Foreman, UEA Rugby Club

• Matthew Haswell, Swanley RFC

• James Taylor, Hawarden Park Cricket Club

• Kai Williams, Bedford & County Golf Club

Bush Hill P ar k Golf Club’s PG A Pr ofessional Nicola Benne tt (above) receives her Recognition Cer tif icat e fr om the CIU’s Nathan Clar ke before being int er viewed by John Inver dale

King of Clubs

Cobham Sports and Social Club

Dorset’s Cobham Sports and Social Club proved a perfect judges’ choice for the 2022 King of Clubs The club combines a raft of sporting activities with a social membership that enjoys the club’s many events and sports activities.

The family-orientated club has outdoor play areas and children's menus. It holds family fun days in the summer, as well as a family and disabled-friendly charity music festival, the Potato Pants Festival.

Football is a major focus at the club, with its two teams both winning cups last season Football and sports camps are held for children during the holiday, while target shooting and petanque are particularly popular

Manager Chris Weight is determined to ensure that the club is offering the best possible service to members Part and parcel of this is his firm belief in training and retaining high-quality staff who will go the extra mile to deliver great service with a smile

Chris, who comes from a cheffing background, takes great pride in the club’s catering operation, using local, seasonal food with daily-changing menus Classic dishes are prepared from scratch to the chef's own recipe, along with home-made ice cream using milk and cream from a local supplier

In addition, the club has invested £25,000 in a new EPOS system which also allows members to pay subs through the app as well as buying tickets events held at the club.

So Congratulations to Cobham Sports and Social Club, a very worthy King of Club!

And the 2022 King of Clubs is Cobham Spor ts and Social Club! Presented on st age by Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris and BT Spor t’s Abi Browne

Welcome t o the house of fun!

The afternoon of 16 November saw clubs, sponsors and partners heading to the Nottingham Oddfellows Club in Leicester for an afternoon of entertainment provided by Dransfields, Club Mirror and the good folk at Pukka pies.

Clubs joined in a fun afternoon packed with Dransfields quizzes, songs from a Wicked West End star, a set from solo artist and Leicester favourite Sarah Simms, an interview with the Club Awards host John Inverdale and a veritable feast from our friends at Pukka Pies. But we’ll let let the pictures paint the story...

HERE’S HOW IT LOOKED

1.00 Welcome + Music from Dransfields

1 40 Quiz – With prizes

2 00 The Real John Inverdale, interviewed by a former Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe

2 15 Refreshments courtesy of Pukka Pies

2 30 Solo Act – Sarah Simms

3 00 Performance from Wicked West End Star Rebecca Gilliland

3 45 Prize Draw

4 00 Close

HQ

With 2023 upon us, HQ Building the Business examines the ar t of how to plan in a constantly changing business environment and asks, ‘how good are you at managing change’? Plus: Latest facts and figures on eating out in the UK along with an examination of creativity in the kitchen. Also: Enhancing the member experience – why it’s more impor tant than ever to have a fully manageable, online membership platform. And: who’s the current top of the cocktails pops?

The art of managing change

With a constantly shif ting business environment, HQ asks ‘just how good are you at managing change’?

Whether that’s dealing with changes in procedures thanks to new legislation, or shifting work practises due to an unhappy team, keeping up with – and ahead of – this incessant flux is essential to ensure a healthy future for the club

10 point checklis t for facing the change process.

1. What change is required?

First make sure there is a need to change what you are doing Then establish whether this will be a small improvement to your operational or other procedures, or whether a more radical programme of activity is needed Think about all aspects – customers, the team, the company, yourself, your colleagues, competitors and others

2. Planning

Spend time on this stage Once you know what needs to be done, think through how you will achieve it, consult with others as appropriate This is a time for detail Think about what, how, who, where and when

3 Overall objective

Make this clear and easy for everyone to understand and remember – for example, introduce new menu by October 14; review staff rotas by November 27.

4. Goal setting

Having decided the main objectives, set short-term goals so everyone can measure progress If these smaller goals aren’t met, find out why and focus on improving things rather than placing blame

5. Deal with resistance

Many people will naturally resist change, so have plans in place to respond to any resistance and sell ideas Find out what’s in it for them – what can they gain by doing it, or lose by not doing it?

6 Prepare your team(s)

Make sure you deal with any training and development needs so your people have the ability, motivation and confidence to deal with what will now be required of them. Work hard to get them on board –people achieve much better results if they have helped create something

7. Deal with knock-on effects

Remember that changing some things will have a knock on effect on others, so be sure to take a holistic approach to the planning process and monitor all areas throughout

8. Communication

Make sure you put two-way communication mechanisms in place and remember you have two ears and only one mouth, so get the proportion of listening to talking right! You could use feedback meetings or suggestion slips, for example.

9. Make them hungry to succeed

Make your people challenge the status quo drive urgency and momentum and a thirst to see the change process succeed

10. Monitor, review, plan

Throughout the journey, make sure you monitor and reassess your progress very frequently; a common mistake is to engage in an elaborate planning process and then fail to execute it because people pushed on with the wrong strategy

This can happen when plans are incomplete or contained errors which might not have been possible to anticipate at the outset. The objectives will be constant but how they are achieved may change several times

Latest MealTrak* results show that the number of out-of-home eating occasions were 12% higher than the comparable period in 2021 on a 52 week/MAT basis

In the latest 12-weeks, there were 807 million eating out of home occasions in the 12 weeks ending 11 July 2022, and the ‘eating out’ channel was in strong growth at +42% versus the previous year

Value sales are also up, 24% on a 52 week/MAT basis and +19% on a 12 week ending basis, versus 2021.

Tom Fender, Development Director at TWC, said: “Encouragingly, for the moment at least, value growth remains ahead of occasions, indicating that spends are holding up and consumers are continuing to seek rewarding experiences rather than trying down on prices and functionality ”

Interestingly (and unusually) growth is currently being driven by older consumers, especially 45 – 64 year olds, where growth is much stronger than for the younger age groups across both Eating Out and Food on the Go Eating Out has been recovering well in this

65+ age group, although, says Fender, this has dropped away over the latest 12-weeks, perhaps because this age group is more vulnerable to the impact of rising costs

“Similarly, over the last 12-months growth in all channels has been driven more by women than men, but this has reversed over the last 12-weeks, with

women too perhaps changing their behaviour more rapidly in response to current economic pressures, ” he said

*MealTrak is a continuous tracking programme for food-to-go and out-of-home consumption, surveying 36,500 consumers a year

Eating out continues to recover Pornstar Mar tini remains UK’s number 1 cocktail

Funkin Cocktails’ Marketing Director, Ben Anderson, looks at CGA’s newly released Mixed Drinks Report and considers the opportunities for on trade venues

The cocktail sector has been on a meteoric rise in the UK in recent years, with the value of cocktails now at £686m and more than 9 6 million consumers now enjoying cocktails in the on trade, which equates to 1 in 5 on-premise consumers This provides venues an exciting opportunity to diversify their drinks offering, whilst delivering additional revenue and footfall

The top 10 cocktails in the UK (Q3 2022)

1. Pornstar Martini – 15.5%

2. Sex on the Beach – 7.0%

3. Mojito – 6.7%

4. Flavoured Martini - 6.3%

5 Long Island Iced Tea –6 0%

6 Daiquiri – 5 7%

7 Spritz – 5 3%

8 Espresso Martini – 4 8%

9 Aperol Spritz - 4 1%

10 Pina Colada – 3 5%

The top 10 cocktails account for more 65% of all cocktails enjoyed in the on-trade making them all important for inclusion on cocktail menus, particularly as one in two consumers say that they prefer classic cocktail serves.

Two serves making popularity gains in the list are the Pornstar Martini (+0.1pp) and the closely related Flavoured Martinis (+0.7pp). The Pornstar Martini continuing to hold the top spot by some distance,

whilst Sex on the Beach has now overtaken Mojito to take the number two spot These are all drinks on the sweeter end of the scale, which reflects the everyounger typical cocktail drinker, with 18-34 year olds accounting for 53% of cocktail drinkers in the UK

Consumers are also continuing to expect cocktails in outlets that haven’t traditionally offered these serves, with 46% drinking cocktails in pubs (+8pp) This is reflected in the total share of sales for cocktails rising massively in these venues, hitting 10% in food-led pubs (+122%) and 7.9% in drink-led pubs (+107%). And regardless of the venue, cocktails continue to be a profitable addition with drinkers willing to pay on average £9.05 per cocktail.

However, as consumers increasingly feel the sting

of the cost of living crisis, the perception of the value of a drinks menu will become increasingly important with 41% of consumers opting to focus on value when choosing their cocktail Venues can continue to capitalise on the cocktail boom by promoting happy hours and 2-4-1 style promotion This may feel like short-changing in the short term, but there are plenty of options that can make cocktails cost effective and high in margin for venues The Funkin Cocktails Mixer range comes in at an average cost per cocktail of £1.60 including the alcohol, meaning the profit margins per drink are still significant and if made well there is the opportunity to win regular customers.

• www.funkincocktailstrade.co.uk

BUILDING THE BUSINESS

Being part of a members club means access to entertainment, information, networking and exclusive benefits. Its success leans heavily on its ability to offer an exceptional experience through a variety of activities and exclusivity

In our study, we surveyed over 200 individuals with current paid memberships within clubs, sporting organisations and trade associations We asked them a series of questions about their satisfaction with their current membership offering and what more they might want to see in it

So how do you create a truly valuable membership experience? Here are six key takeaways from our study

Online membership portals Having a membership portal that is easily accessible online or through an app has become a standard in memberships. This decentralises information such that members can update their own data, upgrade tiers, and manage payments anytime they please.

Tragically, not all club memberships have caught on The study found that 64% of members whose membership doesn’t offer online tools wish it did, as the feature would have been tremendously valuable Even when your membership is on-site and frequented by members, it’s still worth moving your database online and providing log-in access to each member Bringing your membership online gives you an additional channel to freely communicate and engage with members The study shows that onethird of club members use their membership at least once a week. This presents an opportunity to boost news and promote events.

Demand for monthly instalment Instalment payments make membership dues appear less intimidating as clients have more time to move their budgets around to make room for dues As opposed to a onetime payment, instalments lower your membership’s barrier of entry to qualified customers which in most cases improves conversion It makes sense why many memberships offer it as standard

The study also found that monthly instalments are more commonly paid via direct debit (71%) than recurring card payments (29%)

This tells us that members still want control over their membership payments given how direct debit provides customers a window of time to review transactions. If coupled with direct access to their membership plan through an online portal, you equip customers to review their payment histories frequently and raise tickets in the event that they find irregular-

Enhancing the member experience – better benefits and a better platform

ities in their invoice. Transparency goes a long way. Discounted event tickets Events are versatile and can cover a wide range of topics. When staged to stir up the right amount of engagement, it makes the perfect vehicle for conferences, certification programs, networking, and entertainment; practically half the benefits a membership could offer No wonder organisations continue to make space for it in their long list of membership perks, as one could infer from the 75% of club members who are provided access to events at a discounted rate

Events are costly and time-consuming Opening them up to the public is a logical step to offset revenue spent in event planning time and resources Drawing a clear distinction between members and non-members is essential to enforce that feeling of

Demand for more membership perks Although 85% of the club members surveyed reported to be satisfied with their current membership package, qualitative results show that if there’s one thing that could be improved in their membership, it would be the presence of “ more ” benefits This meant more club services, activities, and exclusive offers Otherwise, they wish for more discounts and special deals on products and services from affiliate businesses

Loyalty programmes for long-time members were also mentioned as an added benefit This tells us that if membership benefits were to be enhanced, it should be in a way that answers the needs of the different segments in the member pool You ensure better engagement and retention through this approach.

If you haven’t leveraged the unique characteristics of the different segments in your membership client base, now ’ s a good time to evaluate. Use that information to update your membership benefits, aligning them with your members’ evolving needs

Switching membership platform providers As with any kind of drastic change, switching membership platforms is seen as highly disruptive by members While this may discourage clubs from switching platforms altogether, there is a caveat to it

When asked what they wish to improve in their membership, better user experience emerged as one of the top answers Complaints included lack of a “quick sign-in”, inability to access their membership online, and poor design that makes navigation feel like a major chore. Qualitative responses coincide with answers to the question “what’s one benefit they wish their membership offered” to which 45% said was an exclusive area for accessing all benefits available to them

With 91% of members receiving membership benefits, it makes sense to enable better access to these benefits. Without efficient technology in place , club runners may run the risk of disengagement and member churn, which are in the long run worth more than the cost of improving your current membership platform right from the outset

Better offers and a better platform The study revolves around one pressing sentiment: members want easier access to more membership benefits, implying technological upgrades alongside an investment in more valuable perks Members are the lifeblood of any membership organisation and their satisfaction determines your success as a community

In retrospect, there is a logical connection between the two demands. Attractive offers can only go so far if members are unable to have access to them or lack an overview of what the benefits they are paying for. On the flip side, well-designed platforms are empty shells without compelling membership benefits One might exist without the other but if your aim is to give members more reasons to continue being a part of the club, winning both ends is the smart choice

In conclusion The pandemic forced millions of individuals to put plans on hold Now, people’s hunger for experience, connection, and learning is more insatiable than ever What better avenue to cater to all these needs than membership clubs? It’s worth remembering that this movement doesn’t come without high expectations. So when the opportunity presents itself, you need to be the place that has it all figured out.

As was drawn from this study, an exceptional membership experience consists of ease, accessibility, control over one ’ s own data, and benefits that scratches the right spot

Evaluate if your membership checks all the boxes And if you decide to fill the gaps before they dig a hole in your business, start from the two most important areas - technology and a more targeted benefits package

MORE DETAIL S

Eventcube is described as ‘ a feature rich, white label event and memberships platform for vir tual and ticketed events, empowering event organisers’ www eventcube io

In a new study, Eventcube io explains why it is more impor tant than ever to have a fully manageable, online membership platform

‘No time for creativity’ say UK chefs

Anew, independent survey of contract catering firms across the UK, has revealed the top concerns faced by operations managers, head chefs and general managers, as the sector continues to navigate a dynamic, largely unpredictable, post-pandemic world. The study, commissioned by P2P (Procure-to-Pay) catering technology firm Zupa, set out to delve deeper into the key challenges impacting day-to-day operations, as the resilience and innovation of UK catering firms is called into question The study revealed that rising costs is the top concern for 27% of staff Poor kitchen management was a close second (25%), a further 24% of respondents also cited lack of staff as a key concern, as well as food shortages (24%)

Perhaps more worringly, 99% of respondents say that multiple aspects of their day to day job are being overlooked due to time-consuming manual processes Staff happiness and productivity is also suffering at the hands of poor team cohesion and outdated processes with 44% highlighting this as a major issue. A further 40% of catering staff believe that lack of training and resource is to blame for low morale amongst their teams, while another 20% admit they are frustrated by unnecessary complexity and outdated technology, which they say is

making the problems worse

Food wastage and sustainability is also reportedly being overlooked within catering firms, due to legacy systems and high volumes of manual admin, with 40% admitting this is a real problem for the sector

Ollie Brand, CEO at Zupa said: “This latest survey combined with the events of the last couple of years, perhaps highlights that there is no return to the ‘old normal’. We now have a ‘ new normal’ defined by unpredictability that requires aptitude, not just acceptance of uncertainty and change

“Innovation is paramount and recognition that the right technology can help is critical to creating positive change in this sector However, the survey does raise concerns as many are still failing to make the connection between outdated, manual processes and key operational concerns raised by their staff ”

The survey also revealed that lack of creativity and innovation is a key challenge for the industry Lack of training, coupled with poor business vision may also be connected to issues around chef creativity as many blame lack of creativity for several of the sector’s top worries.

Chef creativity in particular, was called out by over 20% of respondents who say chefs don’t have the time to innovate Many of the respondents are chefs

themelves, and when asked what they would do with more time in their working day, 65% said they would invest in the creativty of their cooking and menus

The research also showed an acknowledgement from respondents, that technology would help their business. Just over half (51%) of respondents said they are looking for technology that is easy to use. A further 48% said that technology fits with the culture of their business and there is also enthusiasm around the prospect of introducing new technology, with 43% saying they are excited by the introduction of new technology

Brand added: “Despite the obvious gap between outdated processes and business functions being side lined, it is clear that workers are over stretched and that this is having a knock on effect on the productivity of catering teams – and quite likely the quality of customer service

“Staff attrition and low morale are endemic in this sector, and this comes at a time when the focus should be on business priorities like retention, development and improvement of customer service. Technology has the ability to transform operational performance and profitability for the better, so the time is ripe for change.”

• zupa.com

High s t af f tur no v er and low mor ale blamed on poor tr aining

Polling hundreds of head chefs and general managers, a survey, commissioned by procure-to-pay catering technology firm, Zupa, revealed that 78% of restaurants believe the pandemic has permanently changed their business The study also highlighted that lack of staff training is being attributed to a variety of operational issues from staff happiness and low morale, to lack of innovation and even food wastage

A resounding 97% of workers said high staff turnover is a significant problem and of these, 41% blamed this specifically on poor or insufficient training Staff training was also cited as the top reason for low staff morale (39%), followed by the burden of being short-staffed (34%) and the frustrations of working within disjointed teams (26%).

Neil Shayle, ex-chef and commercial director at Zupa, said that the impact of staffing and lack of con-

tinuity is raffecting people on the ground. “Finding the time and budget to invest in training can prove challenging, but this growing inability to attract and retain good people poses a significant risk to the sector, and we are seeing evidence of this within our latest research,” he said “By ignoring the need for critical training and engagement programmes that allow staff to grow in confidence and innovate, hospitality businesses are creating a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle which directly impacts their revenue, customer relationships and future profitability It is vital that operators recognise training as a cornerstone of their people strategy ”

Quality of customer service is another concern, with 96% of respondents reporting this as a key issue, and of those, 47% said they believed it was linked to lack of staff training.

“People are eating out less and becoming more

selective about where they spend their money, ” said Shayle. “The industry is also under pressure to provide more value as well as a differentiated customer experience, but to achieve this they need happy, experienced and motivated staff who have the freedom and the bandwidth to innovate Therefore, in a sector struggling to attract and retain staff, the focus has to be on investing in, and freeing up more time for the people you already employ ”

Operational issues attributed to a lack of staff training:

1 Poor customer service (47%)

2 Mistakes (42%)

3. High turnover of staff (42%)

4. Low staff moral (39%)

5. Food wastage (36%)

6. Lack of innovation (32%)

• zupa.com

An independent study has revealed a clear link between staff training and the resourcing shor tages that clubs and the entire hospitality industr y is facing.

Nego tiation: how t o ge t what y ou bar gained f or

Managers and stewards with good negotiating skills are more likely to get good results and have employees who understand what’s expected of them. Negotiation means developing an ability to resolve disputes and conflicts It also requires a willingness to work with other people to reach solutions that everyone can live with

In situations where a whole team/committee is negotiating, each individual should have their own role Knowing who’s doing what and when, is fundamental to the overall negotiation process

Here are 10 steps to becoming a skilled negotiator:

1 Start with the end in mind

Realise what you want the outcome to be and know how far you can – and are willing to – go.

2. Show respect

Listen and learn about the other person ’ s point of view Think about whether you can both attain the outcomes you desire and be prepared to meet in the middle

3. Self-belief

If you believe you can achieve what you want, you are more likely to be successful Presenting in a relaxed, confident way will help you to reach your goal Speak clearly and concisely Avoid appearing desperate, stressed, irritated or angry at all costs.

4. Develop rapport

People like people who are like themselves. Take some time to warm up your negotiating partner and find areas of common ground Remember your goal is to create and preserve a relationship

5. Use influencing skills

Learn as much as you can about your negotiating partner so that you will be better equipped to influence him Listen to the language he uses and then use it too Find out what is important to him – does he focus on what he wants or what he doesn’t want? Does he seek approval from someone else?

6. Use sales skills

Ask questions and present the benefits of your argument. Find out whether he/she agrees and then handle any objections. Remember to think about the benefits for both parties

7. Be flexible

Explore all possible solutions and outcomes Be prepared to adapt if it means you both achieve your desired outcomes Collaboration doesn’t mean giving up or giving in

8. Be focused, firm and determined

Restate your case with confidence

9. Closing skills

At the end of the meeting, be clear about what you have asked and what you have agreed upon Confirm in writing afterwards if appropriate.

10. Do it

If you have agreed to do something, make sure you have a plan for carrying it out and make sure it hap-

pens. Being reliable and trustworthy will make things easier when you next come to negotiate with the person

Negotiation is most successful when both par ties:

• Recognise the value of a relationship and want to continue it

• Par ticipate actively in the process

• Show consideration and acceptance of each other’s perspectives, values, beliefs and goals

• Separate personality from the issue involved

Work together to develop a solution ever yone can accept

From discussing terms of an employee’s contract to securing the best deals from suppliers, the ability to seal the deal and – ideally – keep ever yone happy is essential. Enter the ar t of negotiation.

Ener gy consump tion and in visible was t e

To help operators combat the energy crisis, and learn simple, energy-efficient steps to reduce their energy consumption by identifying sources of invisible waste, BRITA has partnered with sustainability experts as part of its new Invisible Waste insights report

The hospitality sector’s energy concerns and desire to operate more sustainably add to the many plates businesses are already spinning, with existing challenges including recruitment and retention issues, the rising cost and availability of raw materials and ingredients, and some areas of the UK continuing to see a reduced footfall.

Nearly three-quarters of decision makers (72%) say they have goals and targets in place to decrease their energy usage and overall environmental impact, yet 86% believe their business could be doing more to achieve this

David Hall, Managing Director of BRITA UK, says: “With hospitality operators feeling the pressure to improve their sustainability in an authentic way that avoids ‘greenwashing’ their processes, they cannot ignore the impact of the waste they produce on the environment

“We’re all too aware of food and plastic waste, but what about the invisible waste that we cannot see, such as the volume of energy businesses consume each day and night unnecessarily? It’s vital that we collaborate with companies to tackle the sources of invisible waste together, and there are simple, energy-efficient steps that can be taken to contribute to real change ”

One of the major sources of invisible waste in hospitality is equipment being left on needlessly overnight, which is something 45% of decision makers admit to, despite 65% of them not knowing how much energy the equipment uses during this time Enter online – visit clubmirror com and click on the Awards Entry Form tab

Though some venues such as hotels operate 24/7, equipment including ovens, commercial washers, microwaves, and hobs are all examples given by decision makers of equipment left on unnecessarily overnight, with 25% letting these appliances go into standby mode. And 18% say it is easier to just leave equipment on and, for one in 10 businesses, equipment remains on simply because there is no one

responsible for turning it off

To help operators combat the energy crisis, and learn simple, energy-efficient steps to reduce their energy consumption by identifying sources of invisible waste, BRITA has partnered with sustainability experts as part of its new Invisible Waste insights report.

As well as identifying which pieces of equipment can be safely turned off overnight to improve over-

all energy efficiency, BRITA’s report includes actionable tips and hints that can help streamline the process to better sustainability across the board

With UK clubs facing an unprecedented rise in the cost of goods and energy prices shooting up, it’s not surprising to learn that 92% of hospitality decision makers are worried. New research from BRITA UK delved deeper into their concerns and offers up advice on saving money.

Could your club do more for the environment?

Mor e t han six out of t en people want t o see venues act

Delphis Eco’s study of 2,000 adults found that 76 per cent of responders felt sustainability and climate change were very important to them But it also emerged 56 per cent of us feel too many businesses are ‘greenwashing’ for marketing purposes rather than in a concerted effort to make a real difference to the planet

Mark Jankovich, CEO of Delphis Eco, said: “Hospitality venues can only buy what is available to them, so it’s important we give them options and help them understand how making the right purchasing decisions can help their own environmental pedigree.

“It’s clearly important to customers that hospitality venues do business in the right way and this aspiration can only become stronger alongside the headlines we see linked to climate change and the erosion of our planet’s resources

“We want to make sure we are doing all we can, by ensuring we ’ re leading by example Our cleaning chemicals are non-toxic, plant-based ingredients, yet they are extraordinarily powerful and do an exceptional job All our packaging is made from 100% recycled plastic, and we offer refills These are all elements which impact our margin, but we feel it’s the right way of doing business ”

Mark and his team have recently been recognised for the production of their ecological cleaning range, receiving the highly coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2022.

The company was deemed to be ‘ a business making an outstanding contribution to sustainability and one of only a very few companies to be singled out for recognition through these prestigious awards’

According to Mark the journey to secure 100% recycled packaging was painful and lengthy

“We wanted to evidence that if we, as a small SME could lead the way in driving the effective recycling of packaging and give second life to single life plastics, then this was a major signpost for larger manufacturers, who have subsequently followed suit,” he said “We are deeply honoured to win the Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and everyone within our team is immensely proud of the achievements over the past few years and in how we are really making a difference.”

• Delphisco.com

mor e sus t ainabl y, citing t he use of r ecyclable pack aging, less plas tic, less was t e, and mobilising r enewable ener gy, as coming t op of t heir wish lis t, accor ding t o r ecent r esear ch fr om Br itish cleaning chemical br and, Delphis Eco.

Mar k Jankovich

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