Supporting the local pub

[annedonnelly]

I've been to two committee meetings in the village this week (two different organisations). Both held in the local pub - which was closed a few months ago but the owner is trying to keep it running & opens every evening. I'm not a pub goer but the village would suffer without it.

At both meetings only about half of us bought a drink. The others sat there using the heat and light - last night we were next to a roaring fire - and didn't spend a penny to support the pub. I know they're doing their bit for the community by being on the committee and organising stuff but surely they could've spent a couple of quid on a soft drink.

I even offered to buy drinks for my fellow committee members last night but they "had just had their tea". Frankly I was embarrassed - especially last night as I'd organised the meeting.

 

[fossyant]

Tight ar$es ! We have a local micro pub that we go and visit every so often - they do lots of things for the community, and if the locals don't use it, it will be gone.

 

[Profpointy]

That is a bit poor of them to be honest, and I'd see it is taking the piss a bit.
They can buy a non-alcoholic drink if that's the thing but to use someone's facilities without dropping some cash in their till is mean to say the least.

 

[Dirk]

I try to do my bit, probably spend about £150 a week in my local pubs.......
Today in the Star, Watchet.

 

[matticus]

I even offered to buy drinks for my fellow committee members last night but they "had just had their tea". Frankly I was embarrassed - especially last night as I'd organised the meeting.

Anne, would you like us to write to the two organisations, posing as concerned patrons of the pub?

 

[Drago]

I try to do my bit, probably spend about £150 a week in my local pubs.......
Today in the Star, Watchet.

View attachment 791545

New wig, Papa Dirk ? What you done with the Roger Moore signature edition rug?

I have foresworn alcohol for some years, but the village pub where what I used to live also did a nice tea and coffee so still got some business from me.

 

[annedonnelly]

Anne, would you like us to write to the two organisations, posing as concerned patrons of the pub?

The landlord regularly walks past here - the next time I see him I'm going to apologise. When I next organise a meeting it'll have to be in the village hall.

Thinking about it I wish I'd just bought them all drinks anyway and they could've sat with full glasses in front of them.

 

[Dave7]

I try to do my bit, probably spend about £150 a week in my local pubs.......
Today in the Star, Watchet.

View attachment 791545

Blimey, if that was my pub I would pay YOU not to come in

 

[Dave7]

I am a member of a group dedicated to help the local park with kids play areas. We meet most weeks at the local pub. There are some 20 members and I think we all buy a drink of some sort.
Like Drago I am on soft drinks but still buy one.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

We had something similar where I used to live

The local swimming pool (open air) was set to close
and lots of local people were up in arms (from their armchair) about it

so the council donated some money to sort out some problems and a local committee of volunteers took over running it

they kept going for a few years but I knew someone who was connected to it and they were constantly trying to get people to go

but even on hot summer days the place was empty
when they asked people were VER VERY much in favour fo it being there

but goign to it and spending any money was just not something they wanted to do

same for the pub in a little village I lived in for a while
it is a private house now and the locals are amazed about it closing down
but they never went there!!

 

[Electric_Andy]

They (non-drinks-buying-members) probably thought nothing of it. Pubs are so expensive now that few people can afford to just have a pint when it's nearing £6 in most places. Often a soft drink is not much better, I've paid £4.25 for a pint of coke before. It's not the pubs fault of course, they are often locked in with a supplier so can't just buy cheap bottles from a cash and carry.

Also, our local used to hold evening music nights with live bands in the summer. All proceeds (I'm guessing there was a charity collection bucket or perhaps it was a few quid entry) went to a local charity. And guess what? The neighbours complained so the council banned them from having live music, or any music outside. They're up against it from all sides

 

[Electric_Andy]

locals are amazed about it closing down
but they never went there!!

Same with the church in my hometown. It was not economically viable to repair so they knocked it down to build a new modern one which could serve the community better with modern function room etc. There was a huge uproar from people who had never even been to church!

 

[steveindenmark]

If I were the landlord I would explain that I am happy to support the community, if the community supports the pub.

 

[Drago]

A moral question...

We're quick to harp on about the number of purveyors of harmful intoxicating liquor that are being forced to close. Use them ormlose them, and all that.

Why is there not the same outcry to save other outlets that sell a harmful product, such as tobacconists or bookies shops?

As a non drinker I dont think thats an unreasonable question for society tk be asking itself.

 

[matticus]

A moral question...

We're quick to harp on about the number of purveyors of harmful intoxicating liquor that are being forced to close. Use them ormlose them, and all that.

Why is there not the same outcry to save other outlets that sell a harmful product, such as tobacconists or bookies shops?

As a non drinker I dont think thats an unreasonable question for society tk be asking itself.

I think it's a good question* to ask.

My instinctive answer (which is probably naive, and certainly blinkered/selfish): the other two don't add much social cohesion to a community.
Discuss!

*It could be improved by also asking about supporting village shoppes and the like.