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Punch Pubs & Co has completed the third year of its groundbreaking Ignite programme, which is designed to boost pub success, inspire growth, and enhance investments in pubs across its Leased and Tenanted estate.

Through its commitment to supporting the growth and success of its Publicans, this initiative aims to drive sales, profits, and growth by investing in both the pub business and in the Publicans and their teams.

Ignite is a collaborative programme developed with input from various teams within Punch, including Property, Insights, Marketing, Operations, Food, Learning & Development and several suppliers.

The programme has three key elements: training, external decorations, and pub investment.

Punch Pubs & Co’s Managing Director of L&T and Shared Services, Steve Worrall, said: ‘It’s been great to see another group of our fantastic Publicans take part in our third Ignite programme. Working closely with our Operations Managers, Publicans focus on their plans to grow their businesses whilst we provide both award-winning training and access to capital investment.

“The Ignite programme has proven to be a brilliant way to plan, deliver and launch great investments, thereby maximising business opportunities. This is an example of how Punch is aspiring to be the 5 star partner of Publicans in hospitality.”

The process begins with Operations Managers identifying pubs that could benefit from the Ignite programme, focusing on areas for investment and growth. Once investment opportunities are agreed with the Publican, the Property Managers also schedule external decoration works, where required, followed by the Publican booking onto the first training session: Ignite Your Spark.

This one-day programme, held in Punch’s industry-leading Academy at head office, helps Publicans identify opportunities to launch their scheme, maximise sales and outperform their competition. This in-depth session collaborates with Punch’s Insights, Marketing, and Food teams to help Publicans redesign their offers, identify target guests, build a successful team, boost visits, and gain a competitive edge.

Following the completion of Ignite Your Spark, participants are invited to the Ignite Your Profit training session, a two-hour virtual programme that emphasises cost management, moderate spending, energy savings, and smarter pricing.

Throughout the course, Publicans are also encouraged to engage with Thirst, an online training app developed by Punch to inspire exceptional hospitality through gamified training.

Once all training sessions are complete, external decorations and investment works begin.  This process is designed to build a strong, unique selling proposition (USP) for each pub business, with the ambition of setting them up for sustainable success and growth in challenging times.

Of the 52 pubs that completed this third rollout of Ignite, the feedback has been immensely positive. Many participants stated that the programme helped them refocus, re-motivate, and inspire their teams, in turn inspiring those moments that create unforgettable experiences for their guests.

Publican Marc, of the London Inn, commented: “Enjoyable day yesterday, thank you. I have taken away some good ideas and a refocused mindset to move things forward and keep my team motivated.”

Following the success of this year’s programme, those Publicans who have completed Ignite are now relaunching their enhanced offer, eager to achieve new sales targets and secure a solid return on their investment.

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