Football fans left confused by giant ribbon round pub
APUB that doesn’t show football is having to turn away England fans – after they mistook its Christmas present exterior for a St George’s flag.
The Greyhound Inn in Wilton, near Salisbury, was wrapped in a giant red cross on Sunday ahead of the festive period.
But confused Three Lions supporters think it’s a large England flag and have been coming in to watch World Cup games – which the pub doesn’t show.
At least a dozen footie fans have turned up hoping to enjoy a pint in front of the TV so far, with more punters expected to arrive tomorrow when England play the USA.
Greyhound landlady Nikki McNulty, 39, said she’s nicknamed the ‘Crazy Christmas Lady’ locally and is known for her decadent displays.
“They all call me the Crazy Christmas Lady around here; as soon as November hits I want to put everything up and make everything really festive”, she said.
“Each year I like to do something completely different, so I thought this year I’ll make the pub look like a giant present – well, that was the plan.
“The next day it’s all over Facebook and all over the local community group chat saying ‘oh how lovely is it that The Greyhound are supporting the football’ so we had to politely say we won’t be showing the football.”
Mrs McNulty put up the Christmas decorations over the weekend with her husband Graeme and pub staff while enjoying a glass of mulled wine or two.
“Probably about a dozen people have been in asking about watching the football – but we’ve had to turn them away”, she added.
“I think it’s quite funny now, looking back.
“First of all I was thinking ‘oh goodness, how can I make it look more like my vision was’.
“I can see why they’d think that [it looks like the England flag], but it’s made everyone have a little giggle which is what everybody needs at the moment when times are so tricky.
“I think it’s brightened up the Market Square with all the bad weather.”
She said the pub is restaurant-orientated nowadays and the only people watching the World Cup are the kitchen staff, who are allowed to stream it on their phones during less busy periods.
They all call me the Crazy Christmas Lady around here; as soon as November hits I want to put everything up and make everything really festive NIKKI MCNULTY