Letters

Dear Sir,

Cherry Tree Hungry Horse
Newcastle under Lyme

In response to an article which appeared in the February/March issue of Potters Bar CAMRA newsletter, as the managers of the Cherry Tree Hungry Horse pub we were dismayed to learn that Hungry Horse's soft drinks policy had been misrepresented. Paul Cannel states that he was "affronted" when charged £1.25 for a 16oz large glass of draught coke.
However, what Mr. Cannel fails to mention is that this £1.25 would then have entitled him to unlimited free re-fills of his chosen soft drink.
During the festive season Hungry Home offered free refills to customers every time they purchased a l6oz large glass (which holds over three quarters of a pint) of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke or lemonade allowing designated drivers and those on soft drinks a great value night out for the price of £1.25 with unlimited top-ups all night long.
The free refills offer was re-introduced after running the promotion successfully during the summer.
The response from customers was so positive that it was decided to repeat it to Christmas.
Mr. Cannel was also offered an alternative option of paying 95 pence for 330ml bottle of Coca-Cola.
Hungry Horse have an on-going committment to provide value for money soft drinks.
This is a key reason behind our on-going successful business - our customers are voting with their feet.

Yours sincerely

Alan & Hilary Bates
Managers, The Cherry Tree, Newcastle under Lyme

Correspondent Paul Cannel denies that he misrepresented the event which occurred in July last year when he cleany ordered 2 pints of Abbot Ale and two halves of Coke. He states that he did not know that the glasses were I6oz as he did not see a govt. stamp on them, nor were they filled to the brim. The cheaper option was only offered when he queried the price, which he thought excessive, and he made his opinions known to the manageress immediately However, when Paul Cannell originally reported the events to Potters Bar; the full story including the "free refills" ofter was reported in issue 88. Potters Bar apologises for omiting this information in the last edition.
Potters Bar congratulates Hungry Horse for its responsible atitdude regarding its soft drinks provision for drivers, and agrees that in the circumstances for which the promotion was intended their soft drinks policy will represent good value for money - Editor

Dear Sir,
I read your article "Full Pints Farce" in Campaigning Issues, and I have to agree with your comments.
Who cares if by putting 20 fl oz. into a pint puts up the price? The point is, the definition of a pint is 20 fl oz. and that is what you should get when you order one.
It is no more expensive to pay £2.00 for 20 fl oz. than it is to pay £1.80 for 18 fl oz.
The difference is that you know what price you are being asked to pay rather than having to resort to measuring jugs and slide rule when you sit down.
Pubs and breweries can increase their price as much as they like. I am the customer, and as such the ultimate arbiter;
When I am asked to pay an extra Sop to make up for previous fraudulently short measure, I will simply tell the landlord to sod off and find a different pub.
I don't think that customers at Sainsbury's would be too impressed if it were announced that their fruit and veg prices could be reduced if they used a 14 oz pound.

Nick Williams
Sheffield

I couldn't have put it better myself - Editor.

OTHER ARTICLES IN POTTERS BAR ISSUE 92

Front Page Pub of the Month Pints of View Potteries Pub Preservation Group

Belgium in a Bottle Pub News 'BEER' Titanic News Millenium Bottled Beers

Other Items

Return to Potters Bar Home Page

Copyright CAMRA (Potteries Branch) - Downloaded 11/4/00