How pubs are capitalising on the good weather

According to the Met Office, the next five days are going to be “dry, warm and sunny for most”.

The Rat Inn, Anick, in Northumberland, will be amending its menu, drinks offer and investing in new garden equipment.

Licensee Karen Errington said: “We are smartening up our garden with some new furniture as well as planning some summery dishes such as interesting salads.

“We are also revamping our drinks offer to include some nice sparkling and rosé wines, including some English and holiday-style cocktails.”

Pub makeover

Chef-patron of the Longs Arms in South Wraxall, Wiltshire, Rob Allcock, outlines his plans to give the pub a new look.

He said: “We are starting to refurb the pub, which we have been waiting ages to start.

“It is mostly external work so is weather dependent. Our menu will change quite a lot as we get more people eating in our amazing garden.

“We also have our spring teaser night coming up, which celebrates all things spring-like.”

Temperature soaring

Stosie Madi chef-patron of the Parkers Arms in Bowland-in-Newton, Lancashire, is making the most of the nice weather.

She said: “We are loving the sunshine and hoping it lasts. We have the charcoal barbecue fired up and ready to go.

“We are also offering jugs of Pimm’s and buckets of beer.”

Lee Price, licensee of the Royal Pier in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales highlighted the importance of ensuring drinks are at the right temperature.

He said: “The immediate objective is to keep the cellar cold and filled to the brim. Longer term, we are in the process of drawing up plans to incorporate a barbecue pop-up in the beer garden, which will help boost revenue opportunities when the sun shines.

“Our sundeck sits above the sea, so we are looking at the feasibility of attaching an inflatable slide going into a floating pontoon.

“It should give the sunbathers something fun to watch!”

Licensee of the Killingworth Castle in Woodstock, Oxfordshire and the Ebrington Arms in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire Claire Alexander is well prepared for sun.

She said: "The beer garden is well and truly open for business and parasols are up! We have lovely views at both the Killingworth Castle and the Ebrington Arms.

"We are also busy planning our Summer Festival - Yubbyfest which is happening at the Ebrington Arms on 7 June.

"We grow fresh mint in the beer garden so it’s used for the Pimm's and we’ve also taken on some new organic white and rose wines for the list.

 "We are also running an Asparagus Feast night  as it is grown all around us - the Ebringt0n Arms on 5 June and the Killingworth Castle on 6 June."