The article features an interview with two pub landlords, Coby Morton and Jason Osborne, who run The Dolphin Inn in Shrewsbury and The Eclipse Inn in Winchester, respectively. They share their experiences and insights on how to keep pubs alive and thriving in today's changing landscape.
Morton discusses the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere, including music events, board game nights, and a knitting night, which bring people together and make the pub feel like a home from home. He also highlights the value of regular customers, who become like part of the furniture, and how these relationships are essential to the pub's success.
Osborne shares his approach to creating a lively atmosphere in his pub, including raising drink prices to attract new customers and finding ways to engage with patrons, such as playing music that appeals to a wide range of ages. He also talks about the importance of community and how pubs provide a space for people to connect and form relationships.
Both landlords agree on the need to be happy and friendly, greeting customers like they're old friends, even if they come in grumpy. They emphasize the value of creating a sense of belonging and making customers feel welcome, which is essential to keeping them coming back.
The conversation also touches on the changing nature of pubs, with fewer people standing at the bar and more sitting down. Osborne notes that this has led to a loss of social interaction, while Morton agrees that people used to stand in every nook and cranny of the pub, but now they prefer to sit at tables.
Overall, the interview provides a valuable insight into the challenges faced by pubs in today's market and the strategies being employed to adapt and thrive.
				
			Morton discusses the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere, including music events, board game nights, and a knitting night, which bring people together and make the pub feel like a home from home. He also highlights the value of regular customers, who become like part of the furniture, and how these relationships are essential to the pub's success.
Osborne shares his approach to creating a lively atmosphere in his pub, including raising drink prices to attract new customers and finding ways to engage with patrons, such as playing music that appeals to a wide range of ages. He also talks about the importance of community and how pubs provide a space for people to connect and form relationships.
Both landlords agree on the need to be happy and friendly, greeting customers like they're old friends, even if they come in grumpy. They emphasize the value of creating a sense of belonging and making customers feel welcome, which is essential to keeping them coming back.
The conversation also touches on the changing nature of pubs, with fewer people standing at the bar and more sitting down. Osborne notes that this has led to a loss of social interaction, while Morton agrees that people used to stand in every nook and cranny of the pub, but now they prefer to sit at tables.
Overall, the interview provides a valuable insight into the challenges faced by pubs in today's market and the strategies being employed to adapt and thrive.
 , where ppl can hang out, make new friends & feel welcome . i think its awesome that these 2 landlords r putting so much effort into creating a cozy atmosphere at their pubs
 , where ppl can hang out, make new friends & feel welcome . i think its awesome that these 2 landlords r putting so much effort into creating a cozy atmosphere at their pubs  . Morton's knitting night sounds like a great idea lol who knew knitting could be social
 . Morton's knitting night sounds like a great idea lol who knew knitting could be social  ! and Osborne's approach to raising prices is clever , ppl will come for the vibes & stay for the drinks
 ! and Osborne's approach to raising prices is clever , ppl will come for the vibes & stay for the drinks  . its all about making customers feel part of the family , not just a customer
 . its all about making customers feel part of the family , not just a customer  . and can we talk about how much ppl love sitting down now instead of standing at the bar ? i think thats just how society's changed
 . and can we talk about how much ppl love sitting down now instead of standing at the bar ? i think thats just how society's changed 
 . Nowadays, it's all about creatin' a vibe and makin' people feel welcome. I've been to some of these new-fangled pubs and they're actually pretty cool! They got music events, board game nights... it's like one big ol' family party
. Nowadays, it's all about creatin' a vibe and makin' people feel welcome. I've been to some of these new-fangled pubs and they're actually pretty cool! They got music events, board game nights... it's like one big ol' family party  . And you know what's even better? The regulars become like part of the furniture! You get to know 'em, they get to know you... it's like havin' your own little community right there in the pub
. And you know what's even better? The regulars become like part of the furniture! You get to know 'em, they get to know you... it's like havin' your own little community right there in the pub  . Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I remember when pubs were all about standin' at the bar and drinkin' fast
. Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I remember when pubs were all about standin' at the bar and drinkin' fast  . But times change, and so do people. It's all about adaptin' and makin' sure everyone feels like they belong
. But times change, and so do people. It's all about adaptin' and makin' sure everyone feels like they belong  .
. . These landlords are onto something by creating events and activities that bring people together - it's all about making customers feel welcome and part of the family
. These landlords are onto something by creating events and activities that bring people together - it's all about making customers feel welcome and part of the family  . And I think it's so cool that they're prioritizing community and connection over just serving drinks
. And I think it's so cool that they're prioritizing community and connection over just serving drinks  . It's like, pubs should be places where you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and just be yourself
. It's like, pubs should be places where you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and just be yourself  .
. . And it's not just about the drinks, it's about the experience, you know?
. And it's not just about the drinks, it's about the experience, you know? . But, like Jason said, it's all about finding ways to engage with customers and make them feel welcome. And, let's be real, who doesn't love a good price hike to attract new faces?
. But, like Jason said, it's all about finding ways to engage with customers and make them feel welcome. And, let's be real, who doesn't love a good price hike to attract new faces?  .
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 . They're not just places to grab a drink, they're a hub for connection and conversation
. They're not just places to grab a drink, they're a hub for connection and conversation  , it really helps break down the barrier for new people to come in. But let's be real, it's also pretty basic – every pub does that stuff nowadays
, it really helps break down the barrier for new people to come in. But let's be real, it's also pretty basic – every pub does that stuff nowadays  . What's interesting is how they're adapting to the changing times, like Osborne raising drink prices and playing music for a crowd of all ages
. What's interesting is how they're adapting to the changing times, like Osborne raising drink prices and playing music for a crowd of all ages  . And I'm all about those community vibes too
. And I'm all about those community vibes too  . Don't get me wrong, I'm glad people are relaxin', but it's a shame 'cause those pub nights were always the best – you'd hear all sorts of stories and laughter ringin' through the air
. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad people are relaxin', but it's a shame 'cause those pub nights were always the best – you'd hear all sorts of stories and laughter ringin' through the air  . It was like a mini music festival in there! And now, it's more about the food and the atmosphere, but I think that's where pubs are losin' their magic – they're not social hubs anymore
. It was like a mini music festival in there! And now, it's more about the food and the atmosphere, but I think that's where pubs are losin' their magic – they're not social hubs anymore  . I mean, what's happenin' to the old pub banter? You know, the jokes and the teasing between strangers
. I mean, what's happenin' to the old pub banter? You know, the jokes and the teasing between strangers  ? It's like we've lost that special somethin' that made pubs so special in the first place
? It's like we've lost that special somethin' that made pubs so special in the first place  .
. .
. ... its like theyre trying to make us go home or something. i mean i love a good pint but 10 quid is just too much. do you guys still have those deal nights where u can get a few pints for cheap? and whats with the music nights? i dont know if thats really my thing... but hey, if its what makes ppl happy then good for them i guess
... its like theyre trying to make us go home or something. i mean i love a good pint but 10 quid is just too much. do you guys still have those deal nights where u can get a few pints for cheap? and whats with the music nights? i dont know if thats really my thing... but hey, if its what makes ppl happy then good for them i guess  . It's like we've lost some of that social vibe, you know? But pubs are trying to adapt by hosting these events and stuff, like music nights and board game nights
. It's like we've lost some of that social vibe, you know? But pubs are trying to adapt by hosting these events and stuff, like music nights and board game nights  . And it's working! People love those things and they bring everyone together. I think the key is just being friendly and welcoming, like Coby said
. And it's working! People love those things and they bring everyone together. I think the key is just being friendly and welcoming, like Coby said  . Make customers feel like they're part of something, you know?
. Make customers feel like they're part of something, you know? . But I guess times have changed and people want more than just a quick drink now. Music nights, board game nights, knitting... it's all just a bunch of nonsense
. But I guess times have changed and people want more than just a quick drink now. Music nights, board game nights, knitting... it's all just a bunch of nonsense  . They're always trying to be some sort of community hub or whatever. Newsflash: I don't want to play board games with strangers while enjoying a pint
. They're always trying to be some sort of community hub or whatever. Newsflash: I don't want to play board games with strangers while enjoying a pint  I mean, I'm happy for people who enjoy that sorta thing, but it's just not my vibe.
 I mean, I'm happy for people who enjoy that sorta thing, but it's just not my vibe. they talk about makin a welcomin atmosphere n stuff, like music events n board game nights, n honestly its so genius!! who doesnt love a good pint n some friendly competition?
 they talk about makin a welcomin atmosphere n stuff, like music events n board game nights, n honestly its so genius!! who doesnt love a good pint n some friendly competition?  i also lovin how they emphasize the importance of community n making ppl feel welcome, n that makes total sense!
 i also lovin how they emphasize the importance of community n making ppl feel welcome, n that makes total sense!