Pub launches "honesty pint" for trusted punters

A pub has launched an "honesty pint" which trusts customers to pull their own pint and place the money in a box.

Martin Hughes, licensee of the Wheatsheaf in Willingdon, East Sussex, came up with the idea to cut down on queues and to entertain pub regulars.

Pub manager Louise Peggatt said: "We have not really been affected by the credit crunch so we have not done it to drag people in. We did it for the novelty factor and to have a bit of fun."

The self-service unit sits opposite the bar and offers Timothy Taylor Landlord on tap. Customers are invited to pull their own pint and then trusted to place the value of the pint, £2.70, into the "honesty box" on the bar.

According to Louise, the move had already seen a 20 per cent rise in takings in its first week.

"It has proved really popular. A lot of people have come in due to the curiosity and then they realise that pulling a pint is not as easy as they think."

She said she is not worried about people pulling a fast one and neglecting to pay, despite the reservations of some pub regulars.

"A few customers were a bit sceptical at first and said people were going to take advantage. But now it is here, they love it.

"We like to think people are honest. The pub tends to get filled by regulars anyway and we trust them."

But she added the "honesty pint" could only work in pubs in certain areas.

" I don't think it would work in some towns because it could get a lot of youngsters helping themselves and not paying. It works here because we have an older clientele who tend to be real ale drinkers."