In It Together - Laura, The Horseshoes, Nuneaton
Despite the pubs being closed, our business owners are keeping their communities tight and its exactly what the world needs right now, people like Laura.
Just scroll through this pubs Facebook page and you will understand what a key part they play in their community.
The warmth, banter and engagement in the posts despite the pub being closed and customers not seeing each other is quite special to see.
Laura business owner of The Horseshoe in Nuneaton is clearly staying positive and getting her community through this crisis with online interaction and good old-fashioned banter.
They say that Facebook is the online version of the pub and Laura is really bringing the pub chat to her Facebook page through bonus balls, live quizzes, blackout cards to help raise money for the NHS also throwing in a competition for customers to win a free meal once this is all over.
Laura says: “We’re missing all of our customers; missing the chat and banter that we have on a daily basis. Also, the staff; we have a great little team here and we can’t wait for us all to be working together again doing what we do best. The pub is always busy and loud and it’s strange to see it empty and still. It’s important to keep the Facebook page active and to engage with people. Lots of people are isolating and looking for things to do which is why we started the quizzes. We want to do what we can to help people through and interaction and community spirit is really important now more than ever!”
Laura like many independent businesses owners are using this time to engage with their community and have adapted to this new way of life so energetically. Laura and husband George took on the pub just over a year ago and have a long history in the hospitality trade but like us all have never experienced a pandemic like this; “Although we knew it was coming, it was still a shock when the announcement was made on the Friday evening that we had to close. It was very difficult going from working seven days a week in the trade that we love, seeing our regulars and meeting new people on a daily basis to not seeing anybody at all.
On the upside, we have used the time to get jobs done that are normally neglected when we’re busy with the day to day running of the business! Our staff have been great; they have all been put on Furlough, and many of them have agreed to wait for their wages until we have received the money from HMRC. Everards have been really supportive and the team has constantly kept in touch making sure we are OK and offering help and support wherever they can. We just can’t wait for things to go back to normal; roll on the opening party!!!!!”
We find ourselves in exceptional times and our independent business owners are showing their exceptional qualities, like Laura who is supporting her community in every way she can. Do you think you could be at the hub of your community and adapt in challenging times like Laura?
If you would like to find out more about owning a pub business give the team a call on 0116 201 4260 or see what's currently available here or read more on what it's like here.
