Macclesfield pub landlord’s Christmas plea

Local pub landlord, Ian Parker, has taken to social media to describe the struggles local pubs are facing this Christmas.

Ian, who runs The Bruce Arms on Crompton Road in the town, said this week has dealt ‘yet another blow’ as his pub has been ‘flooded’ with cancellations and doubt over the festive period.

“I’m sure we are not the only pub in the last 24 hours flooded with Christmas party cancellations and doubt for the festive period.

“So just a quick reminder of just how hospitality works this time of year.

“Pubs are a different animal to those that existed 50 years ago. The times of blokes and women rolling up each night for several pints and gins have unfortunately gone.

“Between healthier lifestyles, TV, internet and family the good old pub has had to adapt over the last few decades, and we have.

“Offering food, welcoming children and changing the way we operate to fit into modern life. But this, even without plague, is very weather dependent and seasonal.”

Ian goes on to explain why pubs rely on the festive period for income – to make up for the ‘dead period’ between January and Easter.

He said: “Usually, pubs get rammed in December. Tis the season! We use this money to compensate for the “dead period”.

“If you know this term you work in a pub or restaurant, if not in layman’s terms its mid January until Easter.

“During normal years this is the ghost time, dust bowl! Between people doing dry January, joining a gym, running out of money or just generally hating other people, pubs make little to no profit.

“We have our regulars but until the sun comes out its hard work. So we fill up the coffers at Christmas and grin and bear it.”

But he goes on to say that this year feels ‘different’ and without grants and the furlough scheme, pub owners face a ‘different battle’.

“Of course the PM will tell you that the new rules don’t affect hospitality, he still had a party last year…but they do,” he said.

“If you’re not going to the office you’re not passing a pub. If nobody is at the office there’s no Christmas party.

“If the press say you must be scared, the majority will be scared.

“But there is no furlough, grants or fall back this year. We are battle hardened, but its a different battle.”

At the end of the post, Ian please with people to visit their local pubs and said their survival ‘depends’ on this.

He said: “Please stay safe, order free tests and use them, but also resume your lives. The survival of your local pub depends on you.”