Town leaders hit out as Blackburn Rovers drop Thwaites for Heineken at Ewood (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Town leaders hit out as Blackburn Rovers drop Thwaites for Heineken at Ewood
11:00am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News
By Dan Clough, Reporter
PINTS SWITCH The Blue's Bar
TOWN leaders have hit out at Blackburn Rovers after the club ditched brewer Thwaites as its beer supplier.
The club announced it is ending its seven-year agreement with the Penny Street firm after making a deal with Dutch-company Heineken to supply Ewood Park’s bars.
Blackburn MP Jack Straw branded the decision as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘short-sighted’.
And community leaders said the club and its owners, Indian chicken giants Venky’s, should be supporting a local firm, especially in the current economic climate.
The new deal, which Rovers said would improve the matchday experience for supporters, will run until 2017.
The agreement sees Foster’s continue as the main lager on offer in the stands, which will now be supplied by producer Heineken after previously being bought in by Thwaites.
John Smith’s Extra Smooth will be the bitter option available.
Cask ales, such as Deuchar’s IPA and Theakston Lightfoot, will be available in the Blues Bar.
MP Jack Straw condemned the decision as a ‘mistake in judgment’. He said the club should be supporting local businesses and jobs.
He said: “It is another mistake by a management team that is completely out of touch.
“They really do seem to have the opposite of the Midas Touch.
“Thwaites’ beer is infinitely better than that provided by Heineken.
“It is a ridiculous, silly and short-sighted decision.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said the club should not be taking business out of the town.
She said: “Rovers should be supporting a Blackburn company.
“At the moment, where possible, we want local people to benefit from local decisions.
“But this just makes you wonder whether Venky’s have any interest in the community in Blackburn.”
Rovers fan Rick Boardman, of Darwen, said he understood the move from a business perspective.
He said: “I guess they have gone with the cheaper deal, but it is sad a local company loses out.
“Thwaites is one of the biggest and most historic firms in town so for it not to be involved with Rovers is a shame.
“I think a lot of people wouldn’t mind paying that little bit more if it meant supporting a local business.”
Phil Thompson, of Blackburn Rovers Football Club Action Group, said: “I don’t understand why it has been done.
“You would hope more support would be shown for a local company and that local suppliers would be the priority in this situation, especially in the current economic climate.
“It is disappointing.”
A spokesman for Thwaites said: “Thwaites has commercial pouring rights deals with a number of football clubs in the North West.
“We submitted a deal to Blackburn Rovers and on this occasion they have decided to go with a different supplier.”
Rovers head of commercial and marketing Greg Coar said Blackburn Rovers thanked Thwaites for an ‘excellent and supportive relationship’ over the past seven years.
He said: “Our aim is always to improve the fans’ enjoyment of coming to Ewood.
“The choice, quality, speed of service and price of the beer on offer is often an important part of that.
“We believe the choice of brands that Heineken offers, plus the investment in updating the dispensing of their products, will ensure the concourses, executive lounges and Blues Bar continue to provide a fantastic service for our guests and supporters.”
Heineken UK spokesman David Jones said: “Heineken is delighted to become the exclusive supplier of cider and beer at Ewood Park.
“The new partnership will give Rovers fans and visitors to the stadium the opportunity to enjoy a range of our market-leading draught and packaged brands in concourse bars and executive lounges throughout the ground.
“The agreement strengthens the association we curently enjoy with football through Heineken’s sponsorship of the UEFA Champions’ League and a number of commercial partnerships with leading Championship and Premier League clubs in England and Wales.”
Thwaites will continues as the official beer supplier for Burnley FC.
Comments(51)
robart
says...
11:27am Thu 24 Jan 13
roverfoxy
says...
11:28am Thu 24 Jan 13
garydavies2304 wrote:All prices were EXACTLY the same on Tuesday!! Ridiculous
i bet the price does not go down for the fans
roverfoxy
says...
11:28am Thu 24 Jan 13
Same products, Same staff, Same price!!!!
karltop
says...
11:30am Thu 24 Jan 13
darwen_celeb
says...
11:41am Thu 24 Jan 13
I'd maybe be supportive of summat like that if it was, if it were brewed and introduced.
There's nothing wrong with Heineken though, it's good enough for James Bond, Rovers however are utter bab.
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=jZsfB0ycf
Mo
1952 rover
says...
11:45am Thu 24 Jan 13
bigste
says...
11:47am Thu 24 Jan 13
2 for 5p
says...
11:50am Thu 24 Jan 13
“Thwaites’ beer is infinitely better than that provided by Heineken.
That's kept me laughing all morning.
:
darwen_celeb
says...
11:52am Thu 24 Jan 13
2 for 5p wrote:HA HA HA !
Catalogue of quotes lets start with the best
“Thwaites’ beer is infinitely better than that provided by Heineken.
That's kept me laughing all morning.
:
2 for 5p
says...
11:53am Thu 24 Jan 13
bigste wrote:maybe thwaites thought rovers were a soft touch so they put in a expensive bid in.
Maybe thwaites decided that venkys were bad news so they put a bad bid in.
2 for 5p
says...
11:57am Thu 24 Jan 13
"Hey what was that bang I just heard."
It sounded like thwaites shooting themselves in the foot. :-)
Old Alzheimer
says...
11:58am Thu 24 Jan 13
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said the club should not be taking business out of the town.
BLACKBURN with Darwen council is to cut 500 jobs, scrap school uniform grants, phase out its four old people’s homes, and close children’s centres.
If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable.
AndyW
says...
12:33pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Does it really matter where it comes from?
Get some perspective.
Tamworth rover
says...
12:34pm Thu 24 Jan 13
karltop wrote:Totally agree with this.
Thwaites submitted a bid, and it wasn't good enough. I don't see the problem here. That's how business works.
Thwaites only have themselves to blame, They would have submitted the Tender which would of had an overall package which wasnt good enough.
This happens day in day out at businesses all over the world get over it.
stanhillstan
says...
12:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13
happycyclist
says...
12:45pm Thu 24 Jan 13
jack01
says...
1:43pm Thu 24 Jan 13
So far as I can see the only difference to people on the concourse will be John Smiths smooth instead of Thwaites smooth. Both of which are awful beers anyway. Lager drinkers will see no difference and if you go in Blues bar you get a choice of cask ales!
Its a little bit hypocritical of Thwaites to expect support from BRFC because they are a local firm when they are allowing dozens of their pubs in Lancashire to close and never re-open due to covenants they put in place. Perhaps if they cared a little bit more about 'local businesses' then the pub trade in Blackburn wouldnt be in the state it is today.
buzzinfly
says...
1:44pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Would that not have been better PR.
Just a thought!
Darren1951
says...
1:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13
2 for 5p
says...
2:01pm Thu 24 Jan 13
I think a lot of people wouldn’t mind paying that little bit more if it meant supporting a local business.”
Get real ,free market economy in a ressesion most people will be glad to pay a bit less.
As for supporting a local business unless you work directly for thwaites it won't make one bit of difference to your life whatsoever.
jellybiff
says...
2:21pm Thu 24 Jan 13
“The choice, quality, speed of service and price of the beer on offer is often an important part of that.
is that why they sold the club to the chicken tossers .The jibbs fans really make me laugh what you moan about hahahahaha
jackmetickler
says...
2:51pm Thu 24 Jan 13
cactus rover
says...
4:33pm Thu 24 Jan 13
PakistaniMunda
says...
4:48pm Thu 24 Jan 13
PakistaniMunda
says...
4:50pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Peter Blunt
says...
4:53pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Angry From Accrington
says...
5:08pm Thu 24 Jan 13
FACT: Thwaites used to have the supply agreement to Ewood Park and as part of that agreement, they sold Rovers Lagers and Ciders owned by Heineken . In effect, the only Thwaites product sold at the ground was bitter which would have accounted for around 20% of total sales.
Thwaites were invited to tender to retain the supply agreement but would not meet Rovers requirements for pouring rights so Rovers offered the total supply to Heineken Group.
The only changes are that Thwaites keg and cask beers change to John Smiths and Theakstons. None of these beers are produced in the Netherlands, the profit, if there were any, after the pouring rights fee would be retained in the UK and thats where any taxes would be paid.
For Jack Straw to declare that Thwaites Beers are infinitely better than Heineken's is a disgrace: at best, ill founded, at worst libellous and yet another pathetc attempt to ingratiate himself with people he cares nothing about.
As for CLOUGH, get back to writing for the school magazine.
peely
says...
5:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13
one more season
says...
7:02pm Thu 24 Jan 13
They, sooner or later are going to take our club down when they have had every last penny out of it and it will be starting from scratch for Rovers, everyone knows it.SO WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL GIVING THEIR CASH TO THEM?
mark anthony
says...
9:09pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Old Alzheimer wrote:SPOT ON
Taken from LET pages.
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said the club should not be taking business out of the town.
BLACKBURN with Darwen council is to cut 500 jobs, scrap school uniform grants, phase out its four old people’s homes, and close children’s centres.
If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable.
stefjam
says...
9:46pm Thu 24 Jan 13
peely wrote:indeed ;-)
Should get " Black Bull Bitter " brewed in tockholes by Three Bees brewery , and support the true local economy. Lovely ale and made less than a mile from the ground !
GrindletonBob
says...
9:48pm Thu 24 Jan 13
mark anthony wrote:Spot on!
Old Alzheimer wrote:SPOT ON
Taken from LET pages.
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said the club should not be taking business out of the town.
BLACKBURN with Darwen council is to cut 500 jobs, scrap school uniform grants, phase out its four old people’s homes, and close children’s centres.
If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable.
stefjam
says...
9:51pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Mon
says...
12:28am Fri 25 Jan 13
Libra1
says...
12:31am Fri 25 Jan 13
Waigys
says...
1:07am Fri 25 Jan 13
Stone Island:
says...
11:48am Fri 25 Jan 13
lancs1985
says...
1:19pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Baudelaire
says...
1:33pm Fri 25 Jan 13
By the Way Brighton make a point of always offering local cask beers at their new stadium. Great for both home and away fans.
Baudelaire
says...
1:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13
By the Way Brighton make a point of always offering local cask beers at their new stadium. Great for both home and away fans.
doomchanter
says...
5:07pm Fri 25 Jan 13
peely wrote:Yeah good point.
Should get " Black Bull Bitter " brewed in tockholes by Three Bees brewery , and support the true local economy. Lovely ale and made less than a mile from the ground !
Thwaites make overpriced and overated brews.
Their brewery is in Blackburn and they employ a few "local" people, probably because wages are low in this area.
I wonder how many "local" firms actualy profit from Thwaites being here? They will buy their ingredients and services from the cheapest source, like most big firms.
They dont seem too bothered about the struggling pub trade (the beer prices are astounding!). If they realy cared about the area they would make going to the pub affordable and not a luxury. Every time a pub shuts jobs are lost.
I wonder how many workers at Thwaites can actualy afford to go the pub at night?
god Im bored
says...
6:42pm Fri 25 Jan 13
doomchanter wrote:You really do not know what you are talking about.
peely wrote:Yeah good point.
Should get " Black Bull Bitter " brewed in tockholes by Three Bees brewery , and support the true local economy. Lovely ale and made less than a mile from the ground !
Thwaites make overpriced and overated brews.
Their brewery is in Blackburn and they employ a few "local" people, probably because wages are low in this area.
I wonder how many "local" firms actualy profit from Thwaites being here? They will buy their ingredients and services from the cheapest source, like most big firms.
They dont seem too bothered about the struggling pub trade (the beer prices are astounding!). If they realy cared about the area they would make going to the pub affordable and not a luxury. Every time a pub shuts jobs are lost.
I wonder how many workers at Thwaites can actualy afford to go the pub at night?
Angry From Accrington
says...
8:44pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Baudelaire wrote:All the beers at Brighton are supplied by Heineken ( including their casks )
Whatever bid Thwaites put in, Heneken, as global bully boys would have made sure they put in a lower bid. Clubs like Rovers have no loyalty to their town. They are just commercial enterprises to further the interests of their owners. By the Way Brighton make a point of always offering local cask beers at their new stadium. Great for both home and away fans.
Abbey Decor
says...
2:30pm Sat 26 Jan 13
I'm surprised its not Tiger or Cobra on offer .
Abbey Decor
says...
2:35pm Sat 26 Jan 13
2 for 5p wrote:2 FOR 5p is all that Heinekens worth.
Catalogue of quotes lets start with the best
“Thwaites’ beer is infinitely better than that provided by Heineken.
That's kept me laughing all morning.
:
Thwaites brew some fantastic ales. Your obviously a tart and not a real ale drinker.
Award winning brewers on many occasions.
Abbey Decor
says...
2:41pm Sat 26 Jan 13
PakistaniMunda wrote:You'll know all about underground economy I guess??
It's a business fekkin get over it. No matter what venkys do **** will never give them a chance. VENKYS OWN BRFC FACT. They can so what they want with THIER CLUB. Jack Straw P155 OFF. You should be ashamed at sacking 500 people from the council. Your our MP. Shame on you and Kate.
modan
says...
7:09pm Sat 26 Jan 13
The Venkys should sell COBRA BEER at Ewood Park an Indian OWNED COMPANY MR BILLIMORIA
HOLLAND'S PIES PART OF NORTHERN FOODS LTD OWNED BY INDIAN BILLIONAIRE NOW RANJIT BOPARAN.
I hope Asian owned business like Euro Garages ,Bestway Cash & Carry ltd,Accrol Papers,Star Tissues,New Look,Poundstrechers,
B&M Stores in BLackburn sponsers BRFC.
The dingles of Blackburn and BRAG ARE NOT WORTH TWO BOBS.YOU SEE THE MORONS WHO THREW SNOW BALLS AT VENKYS IF THE VENKYS WALK AWAY NOW AND LEFT YOU WITH BRAG AND THEN ADMINISTRATION WILL FOLLOW.ROVERS WILL THEN BE IN SAME LEAGUE AS LEEDS,POURTSMOUTH AND RANGERS.
Blackburn a proud club ,what proud club ? It was Jack Walkers money got BRFC in Premier League and won the league in 1995 with Jack's million.
the Walker boys sold BRFC to Venkys and left with all the cash and fled to Jersey.If the morons don't like the BRFC please stay away you lot will not be missed.
Now lets place an Indian Flag on Ewood Park and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi next to Jack Walker statue.
owd nick
says...
11:22pm Sat 26 Jan 13
Why do reporters always ask the usual suspects stupid questions?
A politician or two, come on please tell me Jack Straw drinks the odious "Smooth"? All you are ever going to get from him is the politically correct "How many votes am I going to get with the best possible answer, for me".
What "Community Leaders?" Mustafa Job and his mates? Didn't think they were supposed to drink alcohol anyway.
And then they ask some clown from BRAG or BRSIT for an opinion? Well I don't have to be a bloody rocket scientist to guess what sort of answer they would give, bet I couldn't get decent odds.
Why don't they actually ask real people who might give an honest opinion for once, instead of deciding what the response they want is then asking the people who will give them the sound-bytes they are looking for.
Hypocrites.
Angry From Accrington
says...
11:31pm Sat 26 Jan 13
Angry From Accrington
says...
11:42pm Sat 26 Jan 13
modan wrote:Did Mahatma Ghandi drink Cobra? Is that why he always wore a nappy?
Why an Indian owned BRFC FC support Blackburn firm Thwaites when Thwaites did not sponser Blackburn Rover's SHIRTS.
The Venkys should sell COBRA BEER at Ewood Park an Indian OWNED COMPANY MR BILLIMORIA
HOLLAND'S PIES PART OF NORTHERN FOODS LTD OWNED BY INDIAN BILLIONAIRE NOW RANJIT BOPARAN.
I hope Asian owned business like Euro Garages ,Bestway Cash & Carry ltd,Accrol Papers,Star Tissues,New Look,Poundstrechers,
B&M Stores in BLackburn sponsers BRFC.
The dingles of Blackburn and BRAG ARE NOT WORTH TWO BOBS.YOU SEE THE MORONS WHO THREW SNOW BALLS AT VENKYS IF THE VENKYS WALK AWAY NOW AND LEFT YOU WITH BRAG AND THEN ADMINISTRATION WILL FOLLOW.ROVERS WILL THEN BE IN SAME LEAGUE AS LEEDS,POURTSMOUTH AND RANGERS.
Blackburn a proud club ,what proud club ? It was Jack Walkers money got BRFC in Premier League and won the league in 1995 with Jack's million.
the Walker boys sold BRFC to Venkys and left with all the cash and fled to Jersey.If the morons don't like the BRFC please stay away you lot will not be missed.
Now lets place an Indian Flag on Ewood Park and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi next to Jack Walker statue.
garydavies2304 says...
11:19am Thu 24 Jan 13