Remember pubs during the ‘longest month of the year’

This is always a tough time for our trade with footfall down and costs up.

Once again, we have a barrage of ‘dry January’, which I shall embrace by following a, relatively, strict diet of dry wines suited to the dark and blustery weather ahead.

Across the board, we see changes at this time of year. In the clothing retailers, party wear makes room for winter warmers. The supermarkets' aisle end deals discard mountains of pigs in blankets for low calorie meals and diet bargains. Restaurant specials boards tend to go leaner and shun the indulgencies of the festive period.

Support community assets

This is not a high trading season but we need to remember the good times of the festive period and support the community assets that enable these gatherings.

Your local pub remains a wonderful place in January and low/no options abound for those looking to abstain or reduce their consumption.

I often hear it argued the ‘temptation’ is too strong in the pub for those looking to have a day off but surely it is easier to succumb when opening one’s refrigerator door in private than under the watchful eye of your peers?

Pubs still here for those drinking alcohol or not

Come in for a coffee or an alcohol-free pint as we recall the funny stories and heart-warming tales of the festive hostelry while they are fresh in all our minds.

The pub will be there for you whether you are drinking alcohol or not.

One note of caution though for those whom we don’t see for the duration of dry January: we will be here still, just like the pizza shop but a month off does little for your constitution. Please pace your returns and don’t be that first February refusal.