David Bakewell, licensee at the Bridle Lane Tavern, Leicester, will open his pub’s doors to the homeless on Wednesday 9 December expecting to serve approximately 300 people.
Bakewell, who previously ran the Square Bar, also in Leicester, told the Leicester Mercury: “I’ve only been here for eight weeks but it’s something I want to do and I’ve done at other pubs I’ve run.
"I think it's a crime that in the 21st century there are still so many homeless people on our streets"
- David Bakewell
Crime
“I think it’s a crime that in the 21st century there are still so many homeless people on our streets – I don’t think, as a city, we do enough for them. No one chooses to be homeless – it’s not a lifestyle decision.”
He added: “Every single homeless person has a story, a reason they’re there – I always think that could be me one day.”
Despite having put aside £300 in advance for the day, he claimed it could cost him up to £800 if a full 300 people turn up.
Busy
“I might need more turkeys and veg – it will be a busy day. The worst thing for us is the kitchens are upstairs so we’ll be up and down those stairs all day.”
The pub will also offer free tea, coffee and sandwiches to those who can’t take the time out to stop for lunch as well as handing out coats, socks, jumpers and jeans which Bakewell is currently asking members of the public to donate.