Foodie thoughts

P U B S C A N ’ T A F F O R D TO C RY I N TO T H E I R B E E R

A thought that’s been occupying me is the future of pubs. I was born and brought up in one; it’s literally in my blood.

The latest CGA business confidence survey has revealed that just 36 per cent of hospitality business leaders are predicting life after lockdown for all of their venues once trading restrictions are lifted. That’s one in three pubs closing. Up to 15,000 pubs might never reopen.

Up and down the country landlords and ladies have been diversifying in an attempt to stay open with a different kind of business.

Here in Calderdale, the Moorcock, along with its take-out menu, is delivering eggs, organic veg boxes and its legendary sourdough. Up in Heptonstall, Terry Somerville at the Cross Inn has a table outside selling “everything you need for your Sunday roast” from Thursday to Saturday. “A lot of older folk who don’t want to venture off the hillside were missing out, so I thought I’d provide them with fresh fruit and veg,” he says. “It’s really taken off; we’re generally sold out by midday.”

John and Sue Rudden, pictured, of Grassington House, found themselves staring into the abyss of lockdown, but within 48 hours of closing they began to re-invent the family business in order to survive. With no village store in Grassington, it made perfect sense to make sure that none of their produce went to waste. As the local community, many of whom are elderly, were being advised to stay indoors and avoid travelling to supermarkets, the terrace of Grassington House was transformed into a pop-up outdoor shop selling meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and dairy produce, and Rudden’s Rations was born.

People like me who love pubs maintain it’s not about alcohol – we’re drinking more in lockdown – but about the atmosphere. These ventures are commendable, of course. But can I have my boozer back soon, please?