Punch Taverns, the leased and tenanted pub company, is to appoint eight territory dispense managers (TDM) to monitor compliance with the beer tie and help improve beer quality across the company’s c.5,000-strong estate.
In April Punch bought its team of tie compliance managers in-house - the role was previously undertaken by Brulines - to have “complete control of this area and to ensure its code of practice was strictly adhered to”.
The pub company has now decided to combine the policing role with improving beer service.
Each TDM will be appointed to a different regional division. They are about to undergo training on beer quality with Cask Marque and individual brewers, said Punch.
Punch commercial director John Healy said: “The territory dispense manager position was created to go beyond just tie compliance to address the issues that can impact on dispense quality and to help licensees serve the best possible pint.
“As a company, we have a clear focus on how important drink quality, especially cask ale, is in giving pubs a unique point of difference. And while many of our pubs are already very focused on retail standards through Cask Marque accreditation and other cellar management schemes, some pubs need support and guidance.
“Our TDMs will be there to advise on a range of areas including the correct conditioning of cask ale and good line cleaning practice. They will also emphasis the importance of glassware, covering both cleaning and care and using quality branded glassware to enhance the customer experience.
“The TDM role does encompass tie compliance but at a time where the industry as a whole is focusing on offering a very high quality drinks experience we see this as an equally important aspect of the role.”
