The calendar may suggest spring is on the way, but one Manchester landlady’s thoughts are very much focused upon… Christmas dinner!
Licensee Valerie Coyle is planning ahead and giving customers nine months to save up for a delicious Christmas dinner in her pub
Valerie Coyle, who runs the Fairways Inn, has set up a Christmas dinner savings club for those who want to put money away for this year’s festive feast. The club took its first deposits on 1st March, the first day of meteorological spring.
Depositing as little as a few pounds each week means one less expense when Christmas comes around. Already, bookings include one party of 11 who, between them, are putting away £20 a week.
“I know it seems crazy to be thinking about roast turkey and mince pies when spring is finally here,” said Valerie. “But given the spiralling cost of living crisis, Christmas dinner can prove to be a huge expense for those who want to get together with their families. I know this myself, being the eldest of 14 children.
“So, this way, families and groups who are planning to have our three-course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, can put something away each week, starting now, to offset the bill.”
Paul Longmire, marketing manager for Fairways Inn owner Joseph Holt, feels Valerie’s forward planning reflects how much local pubs want to help communities they serve.
“A three course Christmas dinner at our food houses, complete with all the trimmings, and which starts at around £60 a head, is always so popular,” he said.
“Yet with food prices going up and the cost of living continuing to bite, the pleasure of going out for even a reasonably priced dinner such as ours can be too much for some families. It’s wonderful that Val has thought about this and is helping her customers to plan.”
