'Drinking was big!' Pub landlords – one gen Z, one 66 – discuss how they stay open in an age of sobriety

The article features two pub landlords, Coby Morton of The Dolphin Inn in Shrewsbury and Jason Osborne of The Eclipse Inn in Winchester, who share their experiences running pubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morton discusses how he had to adapt his business model to stay afloat. He notes that the absence of customers was devastating for his business but emphasizes the importance of community spaces like pubs. He also talks about hosting various events and activities, such as board game nights and knitting sessions, to attract new customers and keep regulars engaged.

Osborne shares his own experiences, including dealing with difficult customers and finding creative ways to turn around a struggling pub. He notes that the key is to be friendly and welcoming, even when faced with challenging situations.

Throughout their conversation, both Morton and Osborne stress the importance of pubs as social hubs and express their commitment to preserving these communal spaces for future generations.

Key takeaways from their discussion include:

1. The importance of community spaces like pubs during times of crisis.
2. The need to adapt business models in response to changing customer needs.
3. The value of hosting events and activities that attract new customers and keep regulars engaged.
4. The significance of maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for all patrons, regardless of their background or behavior.
5. The importance of preserving communal spaces like pubs for future generations.

Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by pub landlords during the pandemic and highlights the role that these establishments can play in fostering community connections and social cohesion.

I feel kinda nostalgic hearing about how pubs adapted during the pandemic . It's like they became more than just bars, but community spaces where people could come together, share stories, and make memories. I loved the idea of board game nights and knitting sessions - who knew those things would bring people together? As for me, I'm a bit concerned about the future of pubs though... with online shopping and whatnot, it's hard to see how they'll stay afloat. But Morton and Osborne seem like they're on the right track by being flexible and hosting events . Fingers crossed these community spaces will keep thriving for years to come

Pub landlords are the real MVPs , adapting their businesses on the fly to stay afloat is no easy feat! I'm all for board game nights & knitting sessions tho... who knew that's what ppl needed to get through lockdown?

I think its crazy how pubs were able to survive during COVID . I mean, think about it, we had a national lockdown and everyone was stuck at home, but those guys were still out there serving drinks and hosting events. It just goes to show that community spaces like pubs are super important for our mental health and social connections . And you're right, Coby and Jason had to get creative with their business models to stay afloat. I'm not saying the government should've done more to support them, but they definitely showed some resilience. It's also interesting how they highlighted the importance of being welcoming to all patrons, regardless of who they are or what they're going through . Maybe we can learn a thing or two from these pub landlords about building strong community connections and supporting local businesses .

Just read this thread and I'm so glad I finally caught up. These pub landlords are total inspirations to me . I mean, hosting board game nights and knitting sessions? Genius! I've been thinking of doing something like that at my own flat, just a small gathering of friends for a quiz night or something. It sounds like they were really resilient during the pandemic and found ways to stay connected with their community. And Osborne's story about being friendly and welcoming even when things get tough is so relatable. I think it's easy to forget that pubs are more than just places to grab a pint – they're actually hubs for people to connect and feel a sense of belonging. Definitely going to have to visit these two pubs and check out their events .

I mean who needs people outside when you got a pint and a sofa right? Pub landlords are like therapists now pubs were made for times like this, all that drama and whatnot just gets played out on screen at the bar. And those events they had, board game nights and knitting sessions? Genius! Keep 'em coming, I'd attend one of those anything to get out of work

Just watched this article about pub landlords who survived the pandemic They're totally right, pubs are where it's at! You know, I've been meaning to try out that new board game night thing at The Dolphin Inn for ages, but somehow never got around to it... guess that's on my bucket list now! What really struck me was how Jason Osborne talked about being friendly and welcoming even when things get tough - that's some great life advice right there. And I totally agree with Coby Morton about the importance of community spaces during times like that. Pubs are more than just a place to grab a pint, they're where you build memories with mates...

I don’t usually comment but... I feel bad for pubs, you know? They were already struggling before COVID-19 hit . It's not just about the money; it's like they're losing their purpose as a gathering place for people. I mean, Morton and Osborne, they've had to get creative with events and stuff, but it's still tough. I hope more people start supporting them again. Maybe they can even make some new traditions or something . Anyway, I think pubs are like, super important for community vibes and all that .

I feel so bad for Coby Morton's business . I can imagine how tough it must've been to watch his pub go from bustling with customers to almost empty. But, like, he totally adapted and found new ways to bring people together . Board game nights and knitting sessions? That sounds like so much fun! It's actually kinda genius how they turned a negative into something positive.

I'm glad Jason Osborne shared his experiences too . Being friendly and welcoming, even when things get tough, is so important . And, omg, I can imagine dealing with difficult customers must be super stressful . But, like, it's great that he found ways to turn things around.

I love how both of them stressed the importance of preserving pubs as community spaces . We need more places like that where people can just hang out and feel welcome . It's not just about the business, it's about building connections and creating memories with friends and strangers alike

I feel sorry for those guys, had to get creative just to keep the tap flowing . Can't imagine running a business with no customers, it's like having an empty house without any heat . I do love that they kept hosting events, board game nights are my jam ! What's next? Pubs as therapy sessions? Seriously though, these guys are right on point about community spaces being the backbone of our society . We need more of those places where people can just hang out and feel welcome .

I'm so inspired by Coby and Jason's stories! They're living proof that even in tough times, pubs can be a real lifesaver for communities. I love how they've found ways to adapt and keep things going, like hosting events and activities - it's such a great way to bring people together! The importance of community spaces shouldn't be underestimated, especially during times when we all need a bit more connection and support. Let's raise a virtual pint to Coby and Jason for showing us that pubs can be so much more than just a place to grab a drink - they're hubs of community and connection

I remember back in my day when you could walk into a pub and just chill with friends for hours on end, no need to book a table or have a specific plan... now it's all about the events and stuff. I think that's kinda cool, but also sad at the same time, like we're losing this sense of community spaces that were always there for us. Coby Morton and Jason Osborne are totally on point with their ideas, adapting to change and finding ways to make pubs relevant again... let's hope more places take note!

I'm feeling really inspired by Coby and Jason's stories . Pubs aren't just places to grab a pint, they're actually hubs for communities. I love how they've been finding ways to keep things going during the pandemic - hosting events like board game nights? Genius! It's so important that we support these types of spaces, not just because they're fun, but also because they bring people together. I think it's amazing that Coby and Jason are committed to preserving these communal spaces for future generations . We need more places like this where people can feel welcome and connected .

I'm still frustrated with how Google Maps is always telling me I'm 10 miles away from a pub I've been to before . Can't it just remember my favorite drinking spots? Anyway, back to the article... I loved hearing about these two pub landlords' experiences during COVID-19. They make so much sense, you know? It's all about being flexible and finding new ways to connect with people. Host board game nights or knitting sessions - that sounds like a great way to bring in new customers! And I totally agree, pubs are more than just places to grab a pint, they're community spaces where you can actually talk to someone . Let's hope these landlords continue to thrive and we get to enjoy their pubs for years to come!

I totally agree with Coby Morton and Jason Osborne on how pubs are more than just a place to grab a pint - they're actually super important for our communities . I mean, think about it, when you've got a bunch of strangers all in one room, it's the perfect opportunity for people to meet new folks and make friends. And that's exactly what these two landlords were trying to do with their pub events - like board game nights and knitting sessions .

It's also really interesting to hear how they've had to adapt their business models to stay afloat during a pandemic. I think it's clear that if pubs want to survive, they need to be more than just places to drink - they need to be community spaces that people actually want to go to . And by hosting events and activities, like Morton was doing, you can attract new customers and keep regulars engaged.

What really stood out to me was how important it is to maintain a welcoming atmosphere for all patrons, regardless of their background or behavior . I mean, we've all been there - had an awkward encounter with someone who's just not being very nice . But if the pub landlords can turn that around and make everyone feel included, then you'll be amazed at how quickly people come back for more .

Pubs are literally the backbone of our communities I mean, who needs fancy restaurants when you've got a warm fire pit, a decent pint, and some friendly faces? Morton and Osborne's story is like, totally relatable - these guys had to get creative just to stay afloat, and it's amazing how they managed to turn things around. The fact that they're not just about serving drinks, but actual community spaces... that's what sets them apart from other businesses. We need more of that

You know I was thinking pubs are actually more important now than ever . They're not just about serving pints and snacks, they're a place for people to come together and make memories. I mean, who needs Zoom meetings when you can have board game nights at the pub? It's so cool that Coby and Jason are finding new ways to stay afloat and bring in customers. And it's not just about keeping them engaged, but also about creating a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of what brings them in. I think we can all learn from their experience about being adaptable and community-focused.

I'm not buying it . These pub landlords are being way too optimistic about how easy it was for them to adapt their businesses during the pandemic. I mean, they're basically saying that hosting board game nights and knitting sessions is some kind of magic solution? It sounds like a bunch of Hail Marys to me.

I'd love to see some actual data on how these pubs actually did financially during the pandemic. Did they really just "turn it around" by being friendly and welcoming? Or were there other factors at play that we're not hearing about?

It's also kinda weird that these pubs are framing themselves as community spaces, but what about all the customers who lost their jobs or had to work from home? What about those people who couldn't afford to go out for drinks anymore? It feels like we're getting a pretty sanitized version of what it was like during the pandemic.

so i think what these two pub landlords are saying is really true. like when we're stuck at home all day, we need somewhere to go and hang out with friends or just meet new ppl. it's not just about the beer (lol), but about having a space to connect with others.

i can imagine running a pub during covid, it would be super tough. i'd probably try to do some kind of virtual event on social media, like a board game night or something, to get people in the door. and then just make sure everyone feels welcome, you know?

it's also really interesting that they're talking about preserving these spaces for future generations. like, we need more community hubs like this.

So I was reading this article about pubs and COVID-19 thingy... and I'm thinking, have you guys ever noticed how expensive a pint is now? Like, what's going on with prices?! Anyway, back to the article... I liked what those pub landlords said about hosting events and stuff. Board game nights sound like so much fun! I think it's cool that they're trying to make pubs more than just places to drink. My friend has a pet cat named Luna and she's always coming over when my friends come over for drinks... maybe we should have a cat cafe?! That would be lit!