New Spitfire Bar Plays Leading Role at the Royal Albert Hall
25 July, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
July 2011
NEW SPITFIRE BAR PLAYS LEADING ROLE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Two great British institutions have forged a unique partnership to combine top quality entertainment with great ale in the heart of London.
Spitfire Ale takes centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall, becoming their preferred ale partner, with a bespoke bar, designed and installed at the iconic venue by the award-winning brand. Not only will this bar be open for pre-show drinking, it will also act as a post-show bar at select shows. Known at The Spitfire Bar, located on the Hall’s ground floor, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the distinctive ale.
The brand’s partnership with the world famous venue represents a new phase in Spitfire’s continued growth, with many exciting developments ahead sure to keep it in the spotlight.
The Hall is a registered charity with no public funding. It focuses on achieving the maximum public benefit by continuing to enhance the Hall’s unrivalled history of performance on the world’s most famous stage, offering all customers the very best possible experience.
Spitfire brand manager Kate Maclean said: “Spitfire’s wide-ranging appeal complements the many audiences who enjoy the Royal Albert Hall’s diverse range of entertainments. We are delighted at this unique partnership between Spitfire and the Royal Albert Hall and look forward to a long and successful association.”
Michelle Aland, Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships at the Royal Albert Hall said: “The Royal Albert Hall prides itself with associating itself with exclusive partners to complement its own world class brand. This new partnership with Spitfire further highlights the Hall’s commitment in providing the best possible customer experience which is accessible to everyone”
Brewed by Shepherd Neame since 1990, Spitfire is a popular choice with ale lovers nationwide and has raised hundreds of thousands for service charities, including Help for Heroes and the RAF Benevolent Fund. The brand also sponsors a hot air balloon, the Kent Spitfires cricket team and a host of outdoor events across the UK throughout the summer.
In 2010 the Hall experienced a record breaking year with over 380 events on its main stage and 150 events in its non-auditorium spaces. 2011 has been just as exciting so far with the return of Cirque du Soleil, Eric Clapton, Liza Minnelli, Janet Jackson and the hugely popular Strictly Gershwin to name but a few.
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For Spitfire and Shepherd Neame enquiries, please contact Michael DeFroand on 01622 604600 or email michael.defroand@edwardsharvey.com or visit http://www.spitfireale.co.uk/
For Royal Albert Hall enquiries, please contact Sean Carrigan on 020 7959 0531 seanc@royalalberthall.com or Michelle Aland 020 7959 0506 michellea@royalalberthall.com
Notes to editors: Shepherd Neame previously installed a bar at the hall, on the Grand Tier, for the Japanese lager, Asahi, which it brews under licence.
THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured and magical buildings, recognizable the world over. It is a registered charity and operates without public subsidy. Since opening in 1871, the Hall has had an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world’s leading artists. Today over 380 events are held in the Hall’s auditorium each year which include performances of classical, jazz, world music, rock and pop, dance, comedy, film premières and award ceremonies. Audiences of well over a million are entertained each year and many millions more around the world enjoy the Hall experience through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.