Bleepless nights all set at minister’s micropub
ABAPTIST minister is set to open his very own micropub this weekend. The Rev James Karran says he wants St Canna’s Ale House, in Canton, to be a welcoming place that fosters conversation and community spirit.
According to the Micropub Assocation micropubs are small watering-holes that serve cask ales and encourage discussion by shunning electronic forms of entertainment.
The 36-year-old publican, who has been a Baptist minister since 2006, will therefore be encouraging people not to use their phones.
He is also focused on serving ales from local breweries in South Wales.
Among the local beers in the lineup for the opening weekend are Juicy and Cwtch, from Tiny Rebel brewery in Newport, Boss Black from Boss brewery in Swansea, and Barefoot Blonde, from Tenby Brewers.
Tomorrow’s grand opening will also feature acoustic folk sessions and a pop-up restaurant by awardwinning pizzeria Dusty Knuckle.
Mr Karran said he was first inspired to embark on the project after visiting a similar micropub in Kent.
“This has been something that has been on my mind for four years now,” he said. “I was first inspired by the micropub concept when I found out about and met Martyn Hillier in Kent, who opened the first micropub – The Butcher’s Arms – in 2005,” he said.
“I met him to talk about the concept and I was taken by it.
“The idea of a small pub that encourages conversation – that’s what pubs should be about, but they’re not at the moment. They’ve lost their soul.”
While punters at St Canna’s will be encouraged to ignore their phones while inside, Mr Karran insists they will not be forced to do so.
“I’m not going to be draconian about it,” he added.
“Hopefully people will be aware of the ethos of the place and they will be encouraged to put their phones down and talk to people.”
St Canna’s Ale House – named after the Welsh saint who gave her name to the areas of Canton and Pontcanna, could be Cardiff ’s first micropub, according to its owner.
“I’m excited, but it feels like I’ve stood off the cliff edge now,” he said.