Taking stock
pub perspectives on the year
As we wave goodbye to 2023 and beckon in the start of 2024, it is a time of year when licensees traditionally take stock of how their business has performed over the last 12 months and start planning for the year ahead. So how was it for you? What better way to find out than to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, so we spoke to the licensees of four very different pubs, spread across the UK, to ask what stood out for them in 2023 and what they’re looking forward to in 2024. … Merran Lawrence
The Railway Inn, Yatton Merran Lawrence runs The Railway Inn in Yatton, Somerset, a leased pub and restaurant with a strong sports element, including pool tables What have been the highlights of 2023? “2023 has been a year to celebrate. We have welcomed so many new customers that have become a part of our pub family. Welcoming so many new people has allowed us to renovate our function room, making it not only a room but an extension of the pub. This spacious area allows friends and family to gather for a game of darts, pool or just to sit and enjoy each other’s company. We also started opening at 9.30am in 2023 for breakfasts, and all the meat is supplied by our local butchers.”
What are your expectations for 2024? “We are expecting to only get busier in 2024. With the village’s infrastructure increasing and a new large supermarket hopefully coming to the area, we will be expecting to see some new friendly faces here. We will be organising more live music events in our large garden for the summer, welcoming all ages.” www.railwayinnyatton.co.uk
What new trends have you seen in 2023? “2023 has seen the local villagers wanting businesses to use local suppliers and be as sustainable as possible. We have expanded our menu this year using more local businesses for our produce while offering delicious affordable meals. We were also published in the Green Pub Guide for our take on sustainability.”
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WINTER 2023
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