What’ s your favourite memory from working at the Change of Horses?
When I was a year into working here, a few of us had drinks after work and ended up playing hide and seek in the pub. Someone was hiding and broke something in the cellar. That’ s just something I always remember, but the little moments are always my favourite.
How do you think pub culture has changed over the last 10 years?
I think it’ s changes mainly come down to the cost of living. Places aren’ t as busy as they once were which is increasingly difficult. Not everyone can afford to go out all the time anymore. Also, we live in a village and have a lot of older clients. As you get older with the pub, there’ s certain people who you sadly, don’ t see anymore.
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How has the cost-of-living crisis affected the pub?
Horribly. It’ s not just the cost of national insurance, it’ s pay increases, rates, rents, everything. We’ re trying everything we can to reduce costs, we don’ t want to lose the pub.
“ You can’ t please everyone”
What needs to change to keep pubs alive?
The government needs to start helping properly, rather than saying they are going to do something and then not going through with it. Rates need to be reduced.