Bank holiday - blues or boom?

Soaring temperatures in the South of England ensured most pubs enjoyed a bumper bank holiday weekend. Only pubs without outdoor seating missed out on extra sales. Over the holiday period, with the temperature across the South reaching 25ºC, people flocked to their locals to soak up the sun.

At the Flask in Highgate, North London, sales went through the roof. "It was absolutely amazing," said licensee Ena O'Neill. "On Sunday we took two grand more than normal and on Monday we did double what we normally do on that day.

"There was a really great atmosphere on Monday because we had a BBQ and live jazz - it seemed that no-one wanted to go back to work, but just carry on drinking.

"The weather was a bonus because we weren't really expecting it," she added.

It was a welcome change compared to the last few years when the August Bank Holiday weather has proved disappointing. High winds hampered business last year and 2003 saw rain dampening spirits.

At the Red Cow in Richmond, Surrey, business was also booming. The pub's manager Bill Weir said: "Sales were good, we were twice as busy as a normal bank holiday - it normally tends to be a bit dead. We had a two-piece band in on Sunday night which went down very well."

However, it was the opposite for pubs without outdoor facilities. At the Albion in Hove, East Sussex, business was down. "Where we are situated away from the seafront does not help us on hot days," said licensee Nicholas Whelan. "On Monday we were absolutely dead."

Meanwhile, at the Masons Arms in Torquay, the story was similar. Licensee Alan Grinsill said: "It remained steady, a lot of my customers go down to the pubs on the seafront when it's hot."

And elsewhere...​

Pubs were in the thick of it during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in West London. Around a million revellers attended the two event - Europe's biggest street festival - over the bank holiday weekend.

Sizzling temperatures ensured people worked up a thirst. At the Guesthouse West, Notting Hill, licensee Isfarhan Camball said business was excellent. "We actually ran out of a lot of stock," he said. "Obviously the great weather helped in bringing out so many people."

At the Hillgate, Notting Hill, trade was also good. Licensee Robert Bradshaw said: "Business was great over both days - better than previous years. We were expecting Monday to be busier, but actually Sunday was."