At your service! Pub that wants to register as a place of worship
‘I THOUGHT, IF CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES CAN OPEN, WHY NOT DO THIS?’
DEVOUT regulars at a pub in Hinckley could soon be back at their favourite local as managers have applied for the venue to become a place of worship.
The New Baron of Hinckley, in Regent Street, has come up with the idea in a bid to reopen despite the Tier 3 restrictions, which only allow pubs to open for takeaways and deliveries.
But places of worship are allowed to open for services and private prayer across all three tiers of the coronavirus restrictions.
The Elmesthorpe Brewery Company, which owns the New Baron, has made an application for the venue to be registered as a religious meeting place under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855.
If successful, the pub would be christened The Church of New Baron, with patrons to be known as New Baronials, while owner Nirad Solanki, or Father Niri, would lead the flock.
Bar staff would be known as Baronnuns, with the faithful to be served Holy Ale and Niri Chicken as part of services.
The would-be church has also pledged to provide one-to-one confession rooms with Father Niri.
Our pub is the epicentre of Hinckley. A lot of people depend on it, especially the older people Nirad Solanki
Mr Solanki said: “It was just me trying to think outside the box. I think it’s the only way for our regular bread-and-butter people to meet up.
“Our pub is the epicentre of Hinckley. A lot of people depend on it, especially the older people.
“I thought, if churches and synagogues can open, why not do this?
“It’s not really financially motivated, we just want to be able to get out and see people.”
The former Wetherspoon pub relaunched after the first Covid-19 lockdown with a flame-grilled chicken menu, using flavours inspired by Mr Solanki’s culinary background.
Mr Solanki believes it is crucial for pubs and hospitality venues to be allowed to open now, during the build-up to Christmas, as the early months of the new year are always very quiet.
He believes many pubs will shut for good before Christmas if they are not allowed to open or if more government help is not provided.
The pub boss took on the New Baron in August 2018, relaunching it with a new look in October of that year.