TV personality Tom Skinner, known for appearing on The Apprentice, delivered a keg of Fuller’s Black Cab Stout to *Marylebone pub, The Barley Mow , as part of the Asahi-owned brewery’s attempts to support the On-trade business this festive period.

To help with stout shortages the brewery has launched a competition for pubs and bars to win 2 kegs of Black Cab. The competition can be entered by visiting Fuller’s website and filling out a short form.

Market-leading Guinness is limiting supplies to pubs after increased demand led to a shortage.

Fuller’s has also launched a separate competition for consumers to win one of five prize packages that include a £50 Fullers’ voucher and Black Cab merch such as t-shirts and pint glasses.

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Black Cab stout is brewed at Fuller’s Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, and was originally launched as a limited-edition seasonal offering. It became part of the brand’s core range due to its popularity.

Asahi marketing director Robert Hobart said: “Christmas is the most crucial time of the year for pubs and bars and after a challenging few years, availability issues are the last thing these venues need.

“We are proud to support the nation’s pubs and at times like these demonstrate that a Black Cab will never let you down.”

Sales of stout have continued to grow year-on-year and Asahi reported sales of Black Cab had risen 150% ahead of the market.

*Title and article location corrected to The Barley Mow Marylebone from The Queens Head Soho