Alcohol advertising - presence in Guildford High Street
Case reference FOI2018/01044
Published 26 July 2019
Request
Who has authorised the advertising of alcohol on Guildford High Street? Under the freedom of information act, can I ask who has received gifts or entertainment from Silent Pool in the last year? Why are Silent Pool suddenly given "special treatment" as to where they can set up their stalls?
Response
Councils, including our own, face significant financial challenges going forward, and one of our approaches to meeting these challenges is to generate sponsorship and advertising opportunities using Guildford Borough Council assets. The Council approved a sponsorship and advertising strategy about 12 months ago, which we are in the process of delivering.
Various themes have been explored as the basis for sponsorship, including one we have branded the "Summer Theme". Silent Pool Gin, as a respected local brand, was considered suitable as a sponsor of the Summer theme in line with the sponsorship policy. A commercial agreement was negotiated for them to be headline sponsors of the Summer Festival, which allowed them some space on banner boards and limited time on the High Street banner, vending opportunities at the Rotunda (junction of North and Friary Streets) and in the Summer Festival Craft Market, together with PR and social media opportunities.
This exposure does not represent preferential treatment, as it is paid for. As with all such arrangements, it requires mutual satisfaction, so future sponsorship contracts are not guaranteed. We continue to welcome approaches from other organisations in areas such as Business Innovation; Heritage; Refuse & Recycling.
Documents
This is Guildford Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.