Barrow has six pubs. There was uncertainty surrounding the Soar Bridge in September when Rob & Amie were due to leave. However, negotiations with Everards have extended their leaving time until January. The Hunting Lodge closed on September 26th. But – great news – the business was taken over by Ben Stephens and Clare Walsh of Quorn’s White Hart and The Apple Tree and it reopened on October 7th. The third closed at the beginning of October (The Three Crowns) and, as I write, stands empty.
For the Navigation, the Moorings and The Conservative Club it’s business as usual.
But many pubs are facing particularly difficult times. Covid lockdowns caused many people to find other activities than visit pubs; footfall hasn’t yet recovered. Brexit and Covid were responsible for a chronic shortage of staff in the hospitality industry. People have learnt to treasure time with their families. They look critically at their working environment and times of work and are much less likely to put up with unsocial hours. Then along came Putin and a critical shortage of oil and gas, making the country’s existing financial problems a whole lot worse. The outcome: a lot of pubs are really struggling.
What can we do to help? They have so much to offer: wonderful food, good company and a convivial atmosphere. We should heed the old adage: “Use them or lose them”.
Here is are series of reports.
A catch up with Barrow Conservative Club from Darran Wright
Tucked away off North St is the Conservative Club. Recently we’ve seen changes to our operations. Traditionally it was a Conservative members’ club and the club’s connections and name continue to remain with the Conservative party. However, to cope with rising costs and to protect our continued existence, the committee and trustees have actively encouraged an open-door policy with non-members able to visit (if signed in by a member) with a view to those individuals becoming members. This approach has led to almost 600 members now signed up (and growing).
Fortunately, this strong membership has created a growing food trade from our excellent stewards (Nathan and Danielle). It has also enabled us to negotiate value for our membership with the breweries so the club is in a solid position.
Take a look at our Facebook page for regular updates on our food options available from Friday to Sunday lunch along with regular entertainment (darts, dominoes, quizzes, bingo etc.). Our function room (The Assembly Room) is available to members; non-members; and businesses for hire. Membership will commence again in the new year at £10 for the year and £8 for over 60s. Affiliation is also available.
On a final note – the club has recently been categorised as an Asset of Community Value, which is a great indication that it will remain part of our village as it has been for many years.
Darran Wright
The Hunting Lodge
A “hello” from Ben and Clare who took over the Hunting Lodge on Oct 7th. We were very excited to be taking over the Hunting Lodge. We had wanted to do this for years! Our first house together was just around the corner and our three children have all gone to school in the village. We have spent a lot of time with friends and our children in the garden and many evenings in the bar!
We are incredibly pleased that we could retain some fantastic staff, especially Chan and Gav. They really are part of the furniture and have managed it beautifully over the last 19 years! We brought in new kitchen staff who quickly introduced a wonderful new menu that uses local suppliers and fresh seasonal produce.
You can see all our menus on our social media pages including the Christmas menu (available very soon) with the especially mouth-watering menu for Christmas Day
(but don’t delay booking that!). We are now building up our entertainments and events programme for the special Christmas season.
Although we have some new ideas the pub will stay the same glorious pub it always has been! We’re really looking forward to meeting you.
Ben Stephens and Clare Walsh
The Moorings welcomes you to their Christmas festivities ahead!
Their Festive menu starts on Monday 28th November and runs until Friday 23rd December. Two courses cost £24 or three courses £28. Whether it’s an intimate evening or a celebration with colleagues, they welcome you for an evening of relaxation.
On Sunday 11th December they are offering Breakfast with Santa from 9-11:30am. The cost is £9 per child which includes a child’s breakfast, a meet and greet with Santa and a present.
On Friday 23rd December the Moorings is hosting a Carol service between 7-8pm, led by the Reverend Clive Watts from Trinity Church.
Join them for Christmas Day. They’re bringing you a fabulous five course menu for £85 per adult and £42.50 per child with a choice of sittings at 12.30pm; 12:45pm & 1pm or 3pm; 3:15pm or 3:30pm. They intend to take the pressure out of your day by thinking of even the smallest of details and to give you the best experience possible with your nearest and dearest.
Their New Year’s Eve will be bigger and better than ever! Book for a 007 themed night with red carpet and cocktail reception and five DJs across the course of the evening! This will be a ticket-only event and no tickets will be sold on the night. Tickets are £15 per person. Dress to impress! Let’s enjoy the end of 2022 together.
Christmas at The Navi
Nestled alongside the canal by the Mill Lane bridge, it’s easily overlooked – but The Navi is made for Christmas – draped with twinkling fairy lights, which beckon you to join them in the light and warmth of the bar – decorated with handmade ornaments and with an incredible double-sided log burner, it’s the perfect place to meet friends and family!
They have warming drinks: from boozy hot chocolate to mulled wine – exactly what you need for chilly winter evenings! They are offering a festive menu alongside their usual fayre – be it an intimate dinner for two or larger social gatherings. For the larger parties, they can offer the snug or the private dining room – complete with its own log burner!
They are hosting several seasonal workshops, led by talented local artisans – from stained glass to Christmas wreaths.
The tutors will inspire and ignite your festive spirit! Santa will also be stopping by again this year for a special breakfast event! Keep an eye out for more details on their Facebook page nearer the time.
The Soar Bridge
As we reported in June, Amie and Rob expected to leave the Soar Bridge in September. Things didn’t work out quite as planned and they very kindly agreed to see the Christmas season through before they leave in mid-January. When I called for a chat, there was a huge bundle of Christmas decorations waiting to be put up so they are certainly going to make sure that their last is a good one. The Christmas Fayre menu will be available from November 29th to December 23rd. Keep a watch on their Facebook page for details. They hadn’t got as far as New Year planning because the January hand-over will involve a huge amount of work.
The brilliant news is that there will be a hand-over to new publicans, Lucy and Darren so the Soar Bridge will stay open!
Hurray!
Rob assured me that Lucy and Darren already have some excellent ideas and we can also expect to see the Soar Bridge with quite a facelift from redecoration inside and a refurb to the outside. I’m sure we will all want to welcome Lucy and Darren and help them settle into the much-loved pub scene of Barrow. And we thank Rob and Amie and wish them all the best for their future.
The Three Crowns
When Carol closed the pub at the beginning of October, the sight of an empty Three Crowns was really depressing. Carol has been an exceptional publican of a pub right in the heart of the community. However – STOP PRESS – I was delighted to meet the new publican, hours before BV was printed and only a couple of days before it reopened on 11/12th November.
Sach Shah is very experienced in pub management and development. Until Covid he ran the “most successful pub in Leicester, The Three Kilns” and has worked at other local pubs. He aims to run The Three Crowns very much as a community pub and was busy appointing new local staff as we talked! He will offer traditional pub food with East African specialities. You will need to look at his new Facebook and Instagram pages 3crownsbarrow for details.
His Festive menu will run throughout December including a special Christmas Day lunch. Get booking!! He will also offer a bar snack menu particularly aimed at Barrow’s sports fans. The outdoor seating area will be expanded and made more like a garden than a car park. And expect a big refurb inside. All excellent news!
Barrow Voice wishes all these pubs a very successful Christmas season. And we say to our readers: when you are planning that special evening out, THINK LOCAL! We have cracking good pubs in the village, different sorts to suit different tastes and purses.
USE THEM!!!”
Judith Rodgers