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.
Which Pub in the Park artisan market locations are worth exhibiting at, and what should brands expect in terms of ROI and costs?
Members report highly variable results depending on location and booth positioning. Marlow, Wimbledon, and Tunbridge Wells have been profitable for some, though Marlow's performance can fluctuate year-to-year. St Albans is noted as 'good for alcohol'. Chiswick has strong foot traffic but a less effective layout. Location within the event is critical—a poor spot can make the difference between profit and loss, even at otherwise promising venues. Members strongly recommend negotiating hard on booth fees, as these events are expensive to exhibit at. The artisan market itself is considered less valuable than 'proper pitches' at the same events. Avoid Foodies events (Brighton cited as weak; also noted as more expensive than Pub in the Park and problematic operationally). Wimbledon and Dulwich have both delivered good results for at least one exhibitor.
What were members' experiences and outcomes from participating in Pub in the Park as a brand activation?
Members reported mixed experiences with Pub in the Park activations. A small number of members participated across multiple formats and locations: - **Marlow location** — participated and shared feedback - **Full season participation** — one member ran the programme across multiple events - **Dual-channel approach (retail + on-trade)** — one member used both a Village retail presence and operated via a Citroën Hvan for on-trade activation, suggesting flexibility in how to structure participation Overall assessment was cautious rather than enthusiastic. Members described conducting careful due diligence and gathering feedback from peers in the group before deciding whether to commit. While some felt it wasn't the right fit for their business strategy, there was willingness to participate in local events closer to home if the opportunity arose. The vague enthusiasm ("interesting", conditional participation) and lack of detailed ROI data shared suggests results were moderate rather than transformative.