BAR TALK

Are you getting ready for Christmas and how is trade at the moment?

Nicky Wragg

Green Dragon

Market Lavington

Wiltshire

'I can't believe it's that time of year again. We're almost fully booked for Christmas Day and lots of people have booked again after last year so I think it'll be a good one. People start asking for the Christmas menu in August and I've already ordered the crackers. It's quiet at the moment because of the cold weather and people are starting to save for Christmas.'

Lucy Vane

Appledore Inn

Bideford

Devon

'We've started moving tables and changing the layout to make more room but no major Christmas preparations yet. In Bideford New Year is the main event. About 15,000 people are in fancy dress so we're always really busy. Trade at the moment is fine. We have a steady group of regulars that come in all year but we're popular in the winter because of the open fire.'

David Watts

King's Head

Letheringsett

Norfolk

'We have to prepare early as we have a unique attraction nearby. The Thursford Collection always has a special Christmas event in November and December and 105,000 people go - so we get a lot of passing trade and have to make our Christmas menu available to coach parties a long time in advance. Trade is slow but we're hoping for an influx next week in half-term.'

Nicky Wallace

The Sheaf View

Sheffield

'We've not really thought much about Christmas yet - we've been busy with licensing - but that's sorted now. We open on Christmas Day for drinks and it's always busy. Our customers are aged from 18 to 90 and they'll all be here. Trade is surprisingly busy for this time of year - not quite as busy as the summer but it hasn't quietened down in the run-up to Christmas yet.'