The 411.
Incipio Group.
The 411, part of Incipio Group, is a current THE DRINK EXCHANGE venue. Here we share the group’s reported result, followed by selected stories from our archive.
Sales figures are reported in the original source material and describe individual experiences. They are not a forecast for another venue.
A reported rise in weekly sales
£3,000 → £18,000
The Drink Exchange infographic reports that Incipio Group saw weekly sales rise from £3,000 to £18,000. The 411 is part of Incipio Group.
This is a group-attributed result in the infographic. The source does not specify the reporting dates, sales scope or comparison method.
Source: The Drink Exchange Infographic, Incipio panel. The original presents a reported sales result, without a named speaker or direct testimonial.
Earlier venue experiences
The following reports relate to earlier versions of THE EXCHANGE. Bar Help, Beach Night Club and Yates’ Hereford have since closed. Essex University Students’ Union remains open but no longer runs THE EXCHANGE. These examples are historical accounts, not current customer listings.
A Wednesday event across two venues
Approximately 40% uplift
SGP Leisure introduced THE EXCHANGE to a pre-club bar and a nightclub in Newquay, running the event every Wednesday. Director Jane Hawkey reported approximately 40% higher takings in both venues after about five weeks.
“I can fully endorse THE EXCHANGE as a cost effective means to enhance an otherwise struggling night.”
Her feedback also highlighted the work to connect the venues’ unusual EPOS system and train their managers. The bar added a crash alert so customers knew when a market crash was approaching.
Source: JDP Worldwide, Case Study 1, page 1. Reported after around five weeks; the document does not specify a year.
Giving a Thursday night a new format
£800 → £2,500–£3,000
General Manager Paul Neades described replacing a familiar fixed-price promotion with a drink exchange event on Thursdays. He reported takings of around £2,500 to £3,000 on a night that had previously taken around £800.
“I now take around £2500 to £3000 on the same night I was doing £800”
The report describes setting minimum prices, scheduling crashes and using venue screens and a DJ announcement to make the event visible. Staff were asked to enter orders on the till before pouring so they used the price at the point of sale.
Source: JDP Worldwide, Case Study 4, page 1. This historical operator account does not specify its reporting year.
A Freshers’ launch for a regular Saturday night
Essex University Students’ Union relaunched THE EXCHANGE during Freshers’ in October 2014 as the starting point for a regular Saturday event. Senior Bars Supervisor Peter Coxell described the updated setup as quicker to prepare and reported a strong launch night.
“Saturday had our highest takings for the whole of freshers week, so it was a big success for us.”
His feedback connected the event experience with practical preparation: easier setup and reliable communication between the tills and venue screens.
Source: JDP Worldwide, Case Study 8, page 1. Relaunch dated October 2014.
Plan an event for your own venue
Start with the night you want to develop, the products you want to feature and the limits that suit your venue. Check your POS connection and screen setup before launch, then compare event results with similar trading nights.
Our guide to running a drink exchange night explains product selection, price controls, market crashes and venue requirements.