Operator loses 50% of bookings due to snow
The Met Office issued warnings for ice, snow and fog for much of the UK while the snowfall last night (Sunday 11 December) has caused much disruption for travel including airports closing runways and closures on railway lines.
Heath Ball, operator of the Red Lion & Sun in Highgate, north London, has seen his bookings for today halve as a result of the weather.
He said: “It’s just one like thing after another. We had Brexit, then Covid, the war and then [it’s like] whatever deity you believe in [is saying] we’re going to f**k with your trade.
“[I had] 180 booked in, I’m down to 90, I’ve lost them this morning. It’s just cancellation after cancellation.”
Demoralising impact
Ball added: “[It’s] getting weather-blamed. The roads weren’t gritted in time, buses are running up the hill now but they weren’t.
“It’s just demoralising, you just want to have a Christmas trade and you’re getting screwed now.”
However, Ball did outline how the weather could mean walk-in trade may be higher than usual.
He added: “The upside is we might have a snow day and might be busier but it’s not looking like it right now.
“It’s just one thing after another. Give us a break. I’ve probably lost 50%. They are just cancelling online – [costing] a few grand at least.”
Social display
Meanwhile, operators across the country took to social media to showcase the snow outside their pubs.
The Leather Bottle in Blackmore, Essex, shared the snow coming down outside the front of the pub.
We have snow in Blackmore. pic.twitter.com/bryp5c9ALO
— The Leather Bottle (@LeatherBottlePH) December 11, 2022
The Chequers Inn, Wooburn, in Buckinghamshire, outlined how access was still available to the site.
The roads up to The #chequersinn#wooburncommon are clear - so pop up lunch by the fire https://t.co/TAqI1FigsKpic.twitter.com/9HvkR3K9LK
— The Chequers Wooburn (@ChequersWooburn) December 12, 2022
Similarly, the Kings Arms in Waterloo, central London, encouraged customers to pop in for a drink amid the cold weather.
It's the most wonderful time of the year ❄️
— The Kings Arms (@thekingsarmsse1) December 12, 2022
Look how magical our pub looks in this winter scenery ☃️
Come in and warm yourself up with a glass of mulled wine.
.
.
.#winter#winterinlondon#snow#christmastime#pub#magical#mulledwine#publifepic.twitter.com/XiN7mZlP67
Meanwhile, about 40 people gathered in an East Sussex pub after the snow came down heavily.
Good morning from Sussex. A bit snowy here. Around 40 of us were taken in by the lovely people at The Bear Inn at Burwash. Pauline, Justin and their team looked after us stranded souls. Big shout out to them. https://t.co/tudLE7CDoQ#snowinSussex@bbcsoutheast@BBCSussexpic.twitter.com/Jhs7VTT9B9
— Dr Alexandra Loske (@Saschaloske) December 12, 2022
