Hop on over and enjoy a great beer in the garden
A RECESSION is likely to hit the UK by the end of this year.
That is the warning from Hampshire County Council’s chief executive Carolyn Williamson, who believes a nationwide recession is imminent.
A recession is declared following two successive financial quarters of negative economic growth, sparked by a drop in consumer spending.
Ms Williamson says the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with a cost of living crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine, has put a recession on the
YOU can’t beat drinks in the sunshine, and when the weather is good many of us flock to our favourite pub for a pint outdoors.
Surrey is home to some brilliant pub gardens from neighbourhood locals to gastronomic delights.
One venue you might not realise has a superb terrace for enjoying a chilled pint is Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham. The independent and award-winning spot in Surrey has a large beer garden overlooking the hop fields.
The beer there is as fresh as it gets, served straight from the cellar and served from Snorters (reusable glass horizon. She said: “Rising geopolitical tensions, sky rocketing energy prices and inflation, and the emergence of the cost-of-living crisis are driving our economy into a very sharp slowdown if not an outright recession later this year or early next year.
“The Russian invasion of the Ukraine is another shock to an economy that has only just returned to its pre-pandemic position and one that was already being disrupted by the Omicron variant, supply bottlenecks, and rising flagons). Customers can choose from TEA (Traditional English Ale), Surrey Nirvana Session IPA, Hog IPA, Hogstar lager, Hazy Hog cider and limited editions, such as Citrus Pale Ale and Juicy Hog.
But if you don’t fancy beer, there are various soft drinks, plus wine, Prosecco and locally distilled gins to tempt you. Anyone can turn up and enjoy a drink in the garden (you don’t need to be booked on a brewery tour).
If you get peckish, there’s freshly inflation. With inflation outpacing earnings and taxes rising from April, real living standards are set to fall at the fastest pace since records began in the mid-1950s.”
The news comes as CPI inflation reached a 30-year high in March, with inflation rates expected to hit 10 per cent at some stage this year.
Young people will be the most at risk from a recession due to their lower wages, Ms Williamson added.
However, staff shortages across the majority of industries mean lay-offs are less likely. baked, woodfired pizzas straight from the oven, as well as Loseley ice-cream and a range of snacks too. If the weather does decide to take a turn for the worse, the hop kiln has been converted.
“The difficult year ahead might have been more manageable if it came on the back of a living standard boom,” she said.
“But Hampshire’s poorest households and young people are more vulnerable given that they spend a greater share of their income on necessities like food and energy.
“Limited supply of workers will probably mean that we will not see a sharp increase in unemployment, but people employed in consumerfacing services such Hampshire’s
Once used to dry the locally grown hops, it’s now a Hogs Back Tap Room and visitors can enjoy a relaxing drink indoors. Next to it, The Hangar, complete with hop picker and drying kiln, is used in September for harvesting. The rest of the year it doubles as a unique bar and event space. young people and older workers are nevertheless far more exposed to any downturn in consumer spending.”
As chief executive of the county council, Ms Williamson has prepared a report on how to deal with the recession, which will be presented to the cabinet next week.
Her stance is that economic development via the county deal, Solent Freeport and opportunities arising from Southampton’s City of Culture bid will stabilise Hampshire through a recession period.
The beer there is as fresh as it gets, served straight from the cellar and served from Snorters...
Opening times: Thursday 5pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Address:
Hogs Back Brewery, Manor Farm, The Street, Tongham, GU10 1DE.
Book a table: Visit Hogs Back Brewery’s website or call 01252 783000