The run-up to Christmas is usually the busiest time of the year for pubs and bars as festive libations and workplace parties get into full swing ahead of what is often a quiet January. This year looks set to be a unique December for the hospitality industry, with a conflicting Football World Cup and, of course, the cost of living crisis looming large over both landlords and customers.
For pubs contending with rising costs from suppliers and utilities, the question of whether to entice the public with lower prices or raise them isn't easy. We asked Bristol pubs how they're preparing for the most wonderful time of the year and if there is extra pressure riding on this Christmas being a successful one.
With a huge outdoor area and a prime location by Clifton Down station, Paula from Steam acknowledged that they'd been luckier than most so far, thanks, in part, to a loyal student following, but said they'd still faced some difficult choices. Paula told Bristol Live, "We made a big decision not to put our prices up in accordance with our suppliers. At the moment, we haven't been too affected in terms of trade. Of course, personally, we are affected because our costs have gone up, our electricity is about £4000 a month, but from our point of view, it's still important to represent value for money while still trying to make a living."
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It hasn't been an easy feat to achieve, though. As well as rising prices, Steam has also been impacted by transport strikes affecting their Heineken deliveries. But Paula said it's important for the organisation to ensure its customers have a good Christmas after receiving so much support from them during the lockdown.
Paula explained that not only has Steam tried to keep costs down by changing suppliers and employing someone to help them reduce their utility rates, but they've also come up with a special Christmas deal. Instead of a formal party, Steam is offering a Christmas version of their popular bottomless brunch, costing £37.50 for a meal and 90 minutes of unlimited booze.
She thinks people are looking for value for money and that the response, so far, has been favourable."In fact," Paula said, "We're struggling at the moment to get parties booked on the days the World Cup is on. I think as we get closer to Christmas, we will be turning people away."
Over at Shakespeare in Redland, Olivia said that despite feeling permanently worried at the moment, she, too is optimistic. "Trade has been good so far. I think there's this underlying feeling of concern, given last year when people started cancelling because of Covid. It doesn't feel like we're going back to that again, but because of the last few years, there's definitely a worry there.
"I'm finding it hard to put big orders in, but people seem to be wanting to go out and enjoy themselves. There is a low-level anxiety surrounding everything, though, in case people decide to cancel because they decide they haven't got the money. "
The Shakespeare's gastro menu makes it a big draw for foodies, while its large courtyard is ideal for football fans to relax quietly with a pint in the summer. But the World Cup's timing is proving to be a "bit of a pain", forcing the owners to juggle things around to keep all their customers happy. "We always want to make sure we've got plenty of space for customers to walk in, so we have turned some parties away already; we're trying to keep it manageable. "
Olivia says the pub has had to raise its prices slightly but tried to keep them as low as possible to remain attractive to customers. "We are trying to stay optimistic; we've just got to hope our customers are able to ride the storm. It seems like another thing we have to get through, and once we get through it, see what disaster there is next year."
Jenn at Greenbank in Easton told Bristol Live she's noticed a change in business recently with a downturn in kid's parties bookings but is still cautiously hopeful because trade is still better than it was a year ago. Jenn said, "It's getting quite challenging for us, and we want to offer the best value, but our costs are skyrocketing. We're quite lucky because we're part of a bigger company, but it's still hard."
She says that they're offering money off vouchers in the New Year to help mitigate against a New Year dip and trade, as well as putting on more music and events over the Christmas season "We're defiantly having to work harder to get people here and keep them here. People still want to come out; it just might not be for four or five pints."
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