Pubs ready to kick off busy festive season with World Cup
PUB landlords are expecting to have a busy time, as football fans and festive revellers turn out over the next few weeks.
The World Cup started on Sunday and is finishing on 18 December.
Jonathan Jackson, landlord of the Queens Inn, in St Martin’s, is hoping to attract both groups to his pub.
‘We are hoping corporate and office parties will incorporate the World Cup into their events,’ he said.
‘We are not really sure how much difference the World Cup will make to our business, especially with the first England game on a Monday lunchtime. Friday evening’s game [when England play USA] will be much bigger, and then it’s the further England go the better,’ he said.
‘We are going to be showing all the games live and have got three big screens in the bar and will be doing a £4 a pint promotion throughout the competition. In the summer tournaments we have had a big screen in the garden but with the weather it’s something we just can’t do.’
The sports bar Bar Bar Jay in Le Bordage opened last year, so this will be their first World Cup.
Co-owner Coralie Benson said they would be showing every game, but would also be hoping to pick up seasonal trade.
‘I’m in a dilemma whether to put up World Cup flags or Christmas decorations,’ she said.
‘Being a winter tournament might help us, as we are a Town location, we hope people will come to us for the football before going off to Christmas events or shopping. We have 16 screens, so no one will miss a goal.’
Recent tournaments have seen huge crowds gathering to watch the football on big screens at the KGV playing field, with 1,500 islanders turning out last July to see England lose to Italy in the Euro’s final.
General manager Debbie Hunter said they had decided against putting a big screen outside for this winter’s tournament.
‘We did think about it, but with the weather as it is, we just decided it would be impossible.’
Instead KGV have hired an extra large TV for inside their sports bar, to add to the four TVs they already have.
‘We are limited to 200 people for some matches. We might have to limit it to members only but it really decides on the timing of the matches. With the first match on the Monday lunchtime it won’t be such a problem, but if England do well we might have to change our parameters.’
