Guinness gets a boost from the Scots

Cara Sulieman

SCOTLAND is bucking the trend and drinking more of Ireland’s favourite drink, despite plummeting sales.

Guinness reported a sharp decline in sales in both Ireland and the UK earlier this month, with the lowest sales in ten years.

But Scottish pubs aren’t feeling the pinch and say sales of the black stout have never been so good.

And they expect to sell more than ever today as thousands take part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Paddy’s day effect

Iain Pert, operations director of Festival Inns who own Biddy Mulligans, a popular Irish pub in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket said that the sales of the brew have gone up in the past year.

He said: “We have seen more people buying Guinness in the last year. And they always go up around this time of year.

“We’re having a busy few days, and with the rugby last Saturday and St Patrick’s Day today we’re expecting sales to rocket.

“One of the factors is the increase in the number of Irish visitors – the Euro is really strong at the moment so they’re coming across to get a better deal.

“I think everybody is worried about the recession but we’re not seeing a lack of customers just yet.”

It comes as the British Pub and Beer Association announce beer sales are down by 8.3 per cent – to a low that hasn’t been seen since the 1940’s.

Drop in sales

A number of factors are being blamed for the slump including the credit crunch and knock-on effect from the smoking ban.

The Irish company announced a decline in sales in Europe, with Ireland being hit the hardest, seeing a 7 per cent drop.

And the UK was no better, with a three per cent decline in sales of the black stuff.

The company is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary by trotting out golden oldies from their famous advertising stable, and it will be hoping for a surge on St Patrick’s Day today.

Not failure

Despite the drop in sales, the brand is still bringing in the same amount of money as they used to due to price increases and ad campaigns.

And Brian Duffy, global brand director for the company insisted the sales were not an indication of failure.

He said: “Because the trend is negative doesn’t mean it is not a place where we want to be successful and where success is important.”

Tartan Army blasts Edinburgh pub Scotland ban 200

By Alexander Lawrie
 
TARTAN Army chiefs have blasted a popular Edinburgh pub after they refused to screen the Scotland match.
 
Incredibly, bosses at the Oddfellows boozer – which is just half a mile from Edinburgh Castle – decided to show England’s defeat of Croatia instead.
 
Regulars were left stunned when they turned up to watch George Burley’s men take on Iceland in the crucial World Cup qualifier.
 
And after being left disappointed, most fans had to then hurry to find another pub in time for kick-off.
 
Scotland fan Fraser Wood, 41, said: “I was shocked when I turned up to watch the Scotland match. I’d been running about all day so I get to the pub in time and when I got there they were showing the England game.
 
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were a few of us who had to dash out and find somewhere else to watch it.
 
“I would have thought every pub in the country was screening the Scotland match, and if England fans want to see their team they should do it in their own homes.”
 
A spokesperson for Festival Inns said: “We have three premises in Edinburgh and we decided to split the coverage of the Scotland, England and Ireland matches between them.
 
“The Three Sisters pub was showing Scotland, and our Irish bar Biddy Milligan’s screened the Ireland game.
 
“We are keen to cater for all football fans in Edinburgh, and because the city is so cosmopolitan we thought it would be wise to split the coverage between the three pubs.
 
“We had over 300 people in Oddfellows watching the match and it was a real success, on and off the pitch.”
 
But the Tartan Army has condemned the coverage saying the pubs decision is “shocking” and “unbelievable”.
 
Iain Emerson, editor of the Famous Tartan Army Magazine, said: “It’s bad enough when the BBC shows England games over our matches, but for a pub in the capital city not to show the match is just unbelievable.
 
“I heard a few guys missed the kick-off and had to dash about trying to find another place to watch it.
 
“The mood of the supporters towards the team has been great recently, but I’m sure there were a few expletives flying around last night. It really is a shocking decision.”
 
But one English fan, Coventry-born Adrian Mather, was delighted to find somewhere to watch the game in Croatia.
 
Mr Mather, 28, said: “I was in Oddfellows for the game and it was terrific. It was really nice to be among my fellow countrymen because I thought I would have to suffer the Scotland game.
 
“I know some Scots were not happy and had to leave, but there were plenty other pubs in the area to watch Scotland.”