Agenda item

To be accompanied by a presentation from Laura Willoughby of Club Soda.

Members received a report and presentation from Laura Willoughby of Club Soda. Members were provided with background and an overview of the scheme.  It was noted that as of 14 March, 108 City venues had signed up to the Guide website.

In addition, Members were briefed on the Public facing campaign which took place in January. The campaign aimed to encourage individuals to try out venues. In addition, over 200 mindful pub crawl packs were distributed in the City. The City Mindful Pub Crawl launch had over 50 attendees and was covered on London Live. The project also reaped positive and significant local and national media interest and there were some TV appearances.

The Objectives and outcomes for 2017/2018 were also discussed and included increasing the number and type of venues on the guide and improving engagement with Members of the public, customers and businesses. The budget for the project for 2017/2018 is £30,000.

Members were informed that the project had begun to build a reputation within local government for innovation, engaging people and businesses, rapid prototyping and development of new ideas. In addition, it was noted that the LGA and other councils had been made enquiries as to the implementing the learning elsewhere. In addition, Members were informed that the GLA is interested in how the projects ideas could dovetail with new Night-Time Economy Plans and would like to be able to continue to promote the partnership with the City across the Local Government Family as a piece of pioneering work.

The project has also gained credibility with the pub and bar trade through positive news coverage. As a result, Club Soda had been invited to speak at a number of influential pub and bar conferences. The trade recognises the expertise that has been built up in the last 2 years and now seek the information and learning to be shared with the top UK venues. In addition, Club Soda was invited to speak at the Morning Advertiser’s MA500 event for multi-site managed pub owners and operators in Liverpool in April.

A Mindful Drinking Festival is scheduled to take place on 13 August 2017 where master craftsmen will be present.

Members asked officers for their views on the project and the feasibility of supporting the project for a further year. Officers stated that the Corporation of London is pleased with the success of the project. However, it could not support the associated costs of the project for an extended period.

In response to a question as to whether the Club Soda project could be dovetailed into   Safety Thirst, Members were informed that this had already been done.

In response to a question as to why Club Soda did not have an alcohol free stand at the Corporation of London’s Beer Festival, Members were informed that discussions had been held.

In response to a question as to whether Club Soda had any involvement in the Health and Wellbeing strategy, Members were informed that Club Soda had been involved in the process.

In response to a question as to whether alcohol free drinks were high in sugar, Members were informed that there is no added sugar in alcohol free drinks and the calorie content is low at about 60cals per bottle.

In response to a question as to what the City’s continued funding would enable the project to do and achieve, Members were informed that the additional value which Club Soda anticipates introducing will extend past pubs and bars to restaurants. Members endorsed the comments on extending the offer to restaurants and suggested the introduction of a non-alcoholic menu to accompany meals and tasting menus.

In response to a question as to whether Club Soda could be a sustainable business without public funding, Members were informed that the business model is good and has generated a lot of interest. In addition, Heineken has stated that it would train individuals on selling alcohol free drinks.

In response to a question as to whether Club Soda were asking for £30,000 plus an additional £10,000, Members were informed that it would appear that Club Soda is seeking a total £40,000 budget which includes an optional £10,000 uplift to visit venues.

In response to a question as to when Club Soda require the £40,000 funding, members were informed that Club Soda is ready to commence the plan once the Corporation is ready to commit to the proposal for a further year.

Members suggested signing off on the plans at the earliest juncture which would allow Club Soda to target venues before the Christmas period where celebrations and drinking increase.

Members raised questions regarding whether Club Soda, in its presentation had in fact asked the committee to make a decision regarding the £40,000 funding at this juncture as the report and presentation were for information only. It was suggested that at present, the committee support the night time levy aspects of the work done by Club Soda given that the committee has some flexibility as to what monies the late night levy is spent on. Members queried the appropriateness of signing off on the £40,000 funding ahead of a ‘proper’ proposal from Club Soda.

There were further discussions as to whether the proposal, revised business plan and accounts should be circulated to the group for information, with delegated authority be given to the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection, the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. Concerns were raised as to this course of action. Some Members disagreed with this cause of action.

Following lengthy discussions, the Chairman proposed the following:

Club Soda is to present a written business plan which will be circulated to Members. Subsequently, a decision will be taken by the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Director of Consumer and Markets. Members were assured that a sensible decision would be taken.

A vote was subsequently taken in relation to the Chairman’s proposal, with the outcome as follows:

In favour -      7

Against -        2

Abstention -  1