As the nation’s pubs wait patiently for a decision from the Government as to when and how they can reopen, one place that is in no hurry to return to normal is Burton upon Trent’s Brews Of The World. Unlike the other pubs in town, BOTW have managed to stay open, after a fashion, throughout Lockdown.
“We lost a week’s trading at the end of March when the restrictions were first applied but reopened as soon as the Government announced that off-licences were on the list of essential businesses. Can’t argue with that!” Laughs Chris McCormack. “We are at about 50-60% of our usual takings which is higher than we thought, considering that we have reduced our current opening hours by more than half. Being open seven days a week definitely helps, we could continue in this manner indefinitely; all bills, invoices etc. are getting paid and we are still ordering new stock on a regular basis. The £10,000 grant from the Government has helped as well, however it would be great to get back to how we were sooner rather than later; many regulars have become more than just customers, they have become friends.”
As for allowing restricted drinking in the shop?
“The thought of a table booking scheme …” muses Chris, shaking his head. “… timed drinking slots … kind of flies in the face of what social drinking is all about; peaceful relaxation downtime to enjoy a great beer, not having a bald bugger standing over you whilst tapping his watch in your direction!”
“Our stand point is all or nothing; so whilst it is nothing we can’t contemplate opening back up to the masses by excluding 80% of our loyal drinkers to accommodate 20% of a select few. We certainly would not wish to alienate our valued customers that we have worked so hard to please in the past two and a half years of being in business.”
Brews Of The World first opened in 2017 exclusively as a Bottle Shop before expanding into a successful pub specialising in Craft Beers and Lagers last year.
“It was not uncommon for us to have over forty people in on a weekend evening; besides, we would have to turn more people away than could actually drink inside whilst the Two Metre Rule is in place. I know that there are many other places to drink but folk do travel from out of town to try our more unusual stuff. Wasted journeys could lose customers rather than attract them. Could you imagine going out for a beer not knowing whether or not you might be allowed in once you got there?”
The biggest hurdle Chris and co-owner Robin Ludlow face is that of the shop layout which, like much of the rest of the world, was not designed with Social Distancing in mind.
“We would find it difficult to accommodate drinkers whilst maintaining Social Distancing guidelines,” Chris observes. “We have just the one room with limited ventilation opportunities, unless the door is kept open and then you have the constant stationary traffic at the lights to contend with, which isn’t pleasant. Our toilets are at the back of the shop down a narrow corridor and there is no option for a one-way system due to one door in the middle of the frontage. All things considered our decision at the moment is to continue as an Off-License until restrictions are more suited to our premises.”
With so much emphasis placed on the importance of the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis, BOTW worked in collaboration with Carl Stout from the Devonshire Arms and Mandy Addis from The Coopers Tavern to raise money for the local hospital.
“Carl dropped in and suggested that we could take some of his short-dated or out of date casks to sell for charity; he would have had to dispose of the beer otherwise. We took four casks: Burton Bridge Bitter (4.2%), Ashover Waimea (Pale, 4.6%), Church End Goats Milk (Pale, 2017 Champion Beer of Britain, 3.8%) and Church End Fallen Angel (Bitter, 5%). These four ales were very well received by our customers at £2 per pint and we raised £150 for the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity. We also took a number of bottles of Guinness Original and Brothers Cider from Mandy; they were also coming to the end of their shelf lives and needed selling. These went for £1.50 each and raised another £50 for Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity. We’re also currently offering a 10% discount for NHS staff with all purchases on production of ID.”
BOTW’s biggest and most consistent seller is White Shield, they’ve sold around 2,600 bottle in total or about a week, however Lockdown has meant that the supply has dried up!
“We will have wait another week or so to get that back in! We sold out of the Amundsen specials that we had in about four days, the German lagers and wheat beers move through quite quick and we’ve sold out of Tynt Meadow a couple of times …”
Chris and Robin have had to adapt by limiting stock levels and reducing opening hours, as an independent shop that do not have corporate backing, but at all times the health and safety of both themselves and their customers have been at the front of their minds.
“The situation is starting to improve, we are delighted that The Dog has reopened and are encouraged by the way that Cask2Couch is working for the Last Heretic,” says a hopeful Chris. “I’m sure that our customers will be willing to return once safe to do so. It will be one hell of a party when we can, I’m sure of that!”