For a pub, bar, restaurant or hotel, a drinks delivery is not simply a drop at the door. It needs to arrive at a workable point in the day, reach the right part of the venue, and be completed clearly so the team can get on with service.
That is why the last part of the journey matters just as much as the warehouse preparation behind it. At Champers, every order reaches the driver only after it has been picked, independently checked, wrapped and loaded. From there, the driver’s role is the last practical link between a carefully prepared order and a venue getting ready for service.
A delivery is planned around the venue
Hospitality venues are rarely identical. One may have straightforward access; another may have a cellar, restricted loading access or a particular time when staff are available. The more we know in advance, the better we can plan a delivery that works for the venue and our team.
Customers should provide special delivery or access instructions by email, either through their account manager or directly to our Sales team. Where an arrangement is feasible, we will confirm it with the customer. Health and safety remains a priority, particularly where stairs, cellars, difficult unloading areas or extra handling are involved.
That advance preparation is not a formality. It can mean the difference between a driver arriving to a clear, workable handover and arriving to find that the venue needs to rearrange access while service is already under way. Sharing the practical details early gives everyone a better chance to be ready at the same time.
The same applies to timing. Customers can request a delivery window, and we will try to accommodate their requirements, although an exact time should not be treated as guaranteed. For a busy venue, a realistic window can be more useful than a promise that does not allow for the moving parts of a delivery route.
What drivers help make possible
Before setting out, drivers complete a mandatory vehicle check through Podfather, with the option to record an issue and supporting photographs where needed. At the venue, the driver works through the practical handover: arriving at the agreed access point, completing the delivery and obtaining proof of delivery.
The recipient can sign digitally, creating a record that may include the delivery time, notes, photographs and geolocation. If there is a delivery exception, such as a shortage or damage, it can be recorded through the same process. Once the proof of delivery is generated, it can be sent to the customer’s subscribed email address and is available to our office team through the portal.
Where an unattended arrangement has been agreed, someone does not always need to be physically present. The important point is that the arrangement has been discussed in advance, rather than leaving the driver and venue team to make decisions at the door.
Helping venues stay ready for service
The aim is not to make delivery more complicated than it needs to be. It is to make it dependable: a prepared order, a planned route, clear communication about access and a record when the delivery is complete.
For London deliveries, this work is carried out by Champers drivers using our own fleet. For deliveries outside London, we work with courier partners.
If your venue has access requirements or a preferred delivery window, let your account manager or our Sales team know by email. We will assess the request and help plan the most practical arrangement.
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