Popular village pubs in Northumberland have come up with the idea of raising cheer this winter by ensuring they offer a warm haven to their local communities this winter, including home comforts ranging from books to soup.
In an initiative which could well catch on, the three pubs in Northumberland - The Olde Ship, The Percy Arms and The Anglers Arms - as well as the The Derwent Arms in County Durham, are out to ensure that hot drinks, company and warmth will be available seven days a week at their venues. The warm welcome is in response to fears that householders, not to mention businesses, will be cutting back on heating to save cash in coming months as the cost of living and soaring fuel prices bite.
With the elderly in mind as being particularly vulnerable, they are stocking up on firewood for their open fires in preparation for the cold weather and the initiative is also set to benefit lonely people as well as the wider community. The managers of The Olde Ship at Seahouses; The Percy Arms, at Chatton; The Anglers Arms at Longframlington and The Derwent Arms in Edmundbyers, which are all owned by the Inn Hospitality Group, will ensure that the fires are kept burning throughout the winter, from 9am right up to to closing time.
