http://www.micropub.co.uk/
There are now at least half a dozen micro-pubs in the east Kent area, I visited a new one has just opened in Tankerton just outside Whitstable yesterday, and there are more planned in other parts of the country. The essence of the micro-pub is that it only sells draught beer and sometimes a limited range of bottles and cider, and customers are expected to talk to each other. They sell a range of craft beers from small and medium-sized independent brewers. There is no music, gaming machines and usually food is limited to cheese and sometimes pork pies. Tey often have limited opening hours, often calling time at 9 or 10 pm, though some stay open later at weekends.They seem to be thriving.
The strange thing to me is that there don't appear to be any in London. Given that nearly all of them have been opened in empty retail premises, they would seem to be an ideal venture for revitalising local high streets, and perfect for taking advantage of any low rent start-up schemes. Start-up costs are reckoned to be around 15k on average.
Sadly, I would not be a suitable person to take on a micro-pub as I lack the self discipline necessary and I would end up drinking the profits and probably falling out with the customers (Martin Hillier famously has only ever banned one person from the Butcher's Arms- for being boring) but wouldn't it be a wonderful addition to our High Street?
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