Put community at the heart of all that your pub does

18-Apr-2012 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 22:09 GMT

Anstead: 'Pubs are at the heart of our communities — where locals and visitors are welcome'

The pub trade has been under pressure for a few years now and yet business rates are becoming exorbitant, we have ever-increasing overheads, and — don’t forget — it’s that time of year for price rises from breweries.

I believe the strongest suit we have left as publicans is to keep reminding people that we are at the heart of our communities — the place where locals and visitors alike are welcome.

Continually coming up with new ideas is getting harder. I am no spring chicken but we cannot sit back and do nothing. Community events and charities are our main priority.

We are planning a Diamond Jubilee celebration on Tuesday, 5 June, offering our car park, garden and 40ft marquee for the party. We leaflet-dropped our local community to meet in the pub to discuss what people would like to do.

We are fortunate to have space so that road closures are avoided. About 16 local residents have offered to get involved and we have plans for a party focusing on young people. There will be a barbecue where everything is £1 to make it affordable for families. We are applying for some community funding.

We have a ‘St George’s Day Jam’ with special English menu coming up, our regular quizzes, fund-raising quizzes, charity music nights, karaoke and live music.

Don’t forget the Olympic Games. We have invested in extra advertising in the local Travelodge and tourist board as Bedford is the base for 12 paralympic squads. Then there is the Euro 2012 football competition (although football is not really our thing).

Talking about investment, do you have a garden or outdoor area? Are you making the best use of it? We have shown our faith in the Great British summer by reducing the grassed area and increasing the patio.

Our marquee will now sit entirely on the patio. No muddy high heels. We are looking at whether or not we can afford new garden furniture.

The highlight of the next four weeks is our local beer, music, fun and charity festival from 2 April to 7 May. We are featuring around 20 ales from local breweries.

There will be a barbecue, charity stalls and local musicians doing their thing. The last day of the festival (the bank holiday Monday) is a 24-hour non-stop live jam raising money for Help for Heroes.

Watch this space, and I hope the sun shines for you. Best of luck to all publicans.