Lincolnshire pub revives barter economy
My wife's cleaning services for a free pint? That's the strangest offer licensees at Lincolnshire pub have received since introducing a bartering system.
Bugle Horn: bartering has paid off
Licensees Matthew Walsh and David Hurst introduced the drinks for goods and services deal at the Marston's leased Bugle Horn in Bassingham, Lincolnshire over a year ago and have reported great results.
“When we came to the pub there were problems with the boiler,” said Walsh.
“We just mentioned it to a customer one day who got his friend to have a look. He fixed it for free when it would have cost about £100, so we repaid him with 10 gin and tonics. It’s just taken off from there.”
Since then, the licensees ring the bell during busy times and ask if anyone can help with plumbing or electrical problems.
“There is always someone who can either help or knows someone else,” he said.
Community help
Local farmers barter with their surplus stock. “The strangest one we’ve ever had was a man offering his wife as a cleaner in return for drinks,” said Walsh. “We think it was a joke.”
Walsh and Hurst also write messages on the pub blackboard or put flyers in the windows advertising their needs and rewards.
Through this method, a local agreed to paint the restaurant with provided paint in return for a month of free drinks.
Locals also donated trees and shrubs to renovate the pub’s garden.
“No one takes advantage. In fact, people often won’t accept payment at all.”
Competition
Walsh said the locals have been known to compete amongst themselves to be the first to help the pub. “It was only about 10 minutes after the bad weather hit last month that someone turned up with a bag of salt."
During hunting season, locals will also exchange pheasants for pints.
“At cost price, two drinks will be around £2.20 but four pheasants make eight portions of casserole, which we sell at £8 each,” explains Walsh. “We make a profit so it is a win-win situation.”
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