Punch Taverns hires new chief executive: Punch Taverns has hired Duncan Garrood as its new chief executive. He will join Punch from MH Alshaya where he has been the President of the Food Division, since 2009, with broad responsibility across a retail division of 1,000 franchised outlets. Prior to his current role, Garrood was commercial director of BAA plc, the airport operator. The company stated: “He has a strong background in the retail and leisure sector and an excellent track record of driving operational performance over a career spanning 31 years in Unilever, SC Johnson and BAA. Garrood will join Punch on or before 15 June 2015. As previously announced, when Garrood joins Punch, executive chairman Stephen Billingham will revert to the role of non-executive chairman.” Chairman Stephen Billingham said: “Duncan is an exceptional individual who will strengthen the senior team at Punch. He brings a great combination of strategic and operational experience within major organisations. These skills will be invaluable to Punch’s future development. I am delighted to welcome Duncan to Punch and look forward to working with him.”

Pizza Hut delivery trials alcohol sales: Pizza Hut’s delivery arm is trialing alcohol sales. The company, through solicitors Woods Whur, has picked ten test sites to make premises licence applications for them to sell alcohol for the first time. All ten were successful with seven granted under delegated authority and three going to committee hearings but being granted with conditions attached to the licence. Woods Whur gave strategic advice as to which sites should be part of the test, drafted the applications and processed them with the police and licensing authorities in each local jurisdiction. A spokesman for Woods Whur told Propel: “We have also been involved in creating an e-training platform so all staff can be training on their duties under the Licensing Act. We also arranged and delivered training with David Elphick to all of the store managers and area managers to allow them to become personal licensees. The units will sell alcohol for collection and/or delivery alongside pizza. This can be ordered from a website or through the individual sites.” In December, Propel reported that a Domino’s Pizza franchisee had succeeded in getting three sites licensed for the sale of alcohol. The three sites are: Tawhill Village (licensed from 10am to 3am), West Swindon (10am to 5am), and Stratton (10am to 5am). A Domino’s branch in St Helens is charging £2.49 for a bottle of Budweiser, £2.99 for a bottle of Peroni and three Blossom Hill options for £7.99. It is thought that around a dozen Domino’s sites have been trialing alcohol sales.