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.