Snow brings mixed fortunes for pubs

The UK's big freeze has brought mixed fortunes to the pub trade as rural pubs suffer and city pubs do a roaring trade.

Michael Kheng, of Lincolnshire based bar group Kurnia, reported a downturn in sales across the group, as a result of the bitter cold and more than two feet of snow in the region.

In a further blow to Lincoln pubs, the famous Lincoln Christmas Market was cancelled for the first time in 28 years.

The market usually makes the city in the region of £10m and means around £1m to the local pub trade.

Kheng expected to lose around £10,000 at the central Cloud bar as a result of the cancellation, and around £20,000 over the weekend across the group.

"I'm worried about the knock-on effect," he said. "Traders could lose confidence in the market and go somewhere else next year.

"We had planned a beer festival this weekend and had already had the extra food and drink delivered.

"The market usually brings in an extra 150,000 people to the area. Hopefully there will still be a few thousand extra people visiting."

Write-off​

Meanwhile, MA Great British Pub Awards winner Tim Bilton of the Butchers Arms in Hepworth, West Yorkshire, said he had "written this week off" as trade had been so poor at the rural pub.

Likewise, the Hoops Inn in Bideford, Devon, received cancellations for around 50% of accommodation bookings as people could not travel, despite the area itself being clear of snow.

Benefits​

However, some pubs have benefited from the big freeze as people unable to get to work sought food, warmth and company.

Town and City pub the Litten Tree in Worksop enjoyed a 62% increase in trade on Wednesday compared to the same day last year, and was up 55% on Thursday.

"A lot of people didn't go to work and we've done a roaring trade," said manager Mark Naylor.

"It's been the same at a lot of pubs around here. People are happy most of the pubs are open to take refuge with plenty of food, beer and heat."

Naylor said food sales are up as well as coffees, port and brandies as people stave off the cold.

However, nights at the pub after 7pm are quieter than usual as people head back home.

Carol Haime, Enterprise Inns licensee at the Sandrock in Farnham, Surrey, has opened an "après ski lodge" for people and children to come for sustenance after sledging and has been "very busy".