Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the practical limits on product sampling at UK trade shows and industry events, and how much stock should be planned?
Members report that the regulatory limit for spirit samples is **maximum 5ml per serve**, though enforcement appears minimal in practice. On actual stock consumption at events, experience varies widely depending on format and duration. **Sampling volumes reported:** - **1500 samples** at a major event (edited from original estimate, suggesting this is a realistic mid-range figure) - **~4200 people sampled** across 2 days from a single SKU, calculated at approximately 5ml serves from a 70cl bottle (allowing for multiple tastes per person) - **30 bottles across 2 days** for a single SKU as another data point **Key tactical insight:** - Serving chilled samples (one member used a chiller at minus 15°C) was noted as working well and likely affects how much people consume - Multiple people trying a sample multiple times should be factored in when planning stock - No hard enforcement of the 5ml limit was observed by members, but this remains the stated regulatory maximum **Note:** The wide range in stock consumption suggests the event format, serving method, duration, and number of attendees are critical variables. Members recommend starting with conservative stock estimates and adjusting based on footfall.
What are the licensing requirements for serving alcohol at trade shows and events like BCB?
You need to obtain an alcohol serving licence for trade shows and events, even if you're only handing out small samples. Members report that local authorities are actively checking compliance. - **Local authority licensing** — Required for serving alcohol at events like trade shows; check with your local authority for specific requirements and fees. Members have paid around €160 for event licences at major trade shows like BCB. - **Exemption threshold** — Only very small serves (samples) may be exempt, but confirmation with your local authority is essential before assuming an exemption applies.
What public liability insurance coverage and classification do I need for Christmas markets and event activations?
Members recommend securing **£5M of public liability cover** as a minimum—this is required by many event organisers. Several insurers and brokers have been used by the community: - **Simply Business** (simplybusiness.co.uk) — easy to deal with and competitive pricing - **FSB** — recommended as a route for cover - **CMTIA** (cmtia.co.uk) — described as "the bog standard" option, though verify they cover your specific event type before applying One member reported that CMTIA initially said they don't provide event cover, so confirm coverage explicitly when applying—don't assume. Another member noted they obtained £5M cover through a broker and believed it covered events, but recommend double-checking the policy wording. **Key caveat:** Classification and specific event coverage terms vary by insurer and event type. Contact brokers directly to confirm your Christmas market or activation qualifies under their policies before committing.
What process should be followed to conduct health and safety risk assessments for mobile bar operations at events?
For a first mobile bar event, the event organiser will typically request formal Health & Safety and Fire risk assessments. Members recommend starting with a template rather than building from scratch. **Risk assessment templates** (such as the 2019 version shared in the community) are available and can be adapted to your specific setup, significantly reducing the time needed to produce a compliant document. If you're new to the process, reaching out to other members who have already completed assessments for similar operations is the quickest route—many are willing to share their completed assessments as a starting point, which is much faster than creating one from blank.