Tring pub launches 'Boris Menu' with £1.99 meals
The menu has been launched following the 'substantial meal' coronavirus rule
After not serving food before, a Tring landlady has launched a 99p 'Boris Menu' to help keep customers visiting.
The Castle Inn, in Tring Hertfordshire is a small pub that, according to the landlady, is mostly visited by tradesmen.
When the new rule about alcohol only being allowed if ordered with a substantial meal came into force, Kerry had to change the way the pub worked:
"I don't have a very well-equipped kitchen, so I knew to provide meals they would have to be quite simple.
"I had to get a fryer because I didn't have that before and I knew that chips had to be involved.
"But the main reason for going for cheap meals was because I was frightened the builders etc who usually only come in for one or two just wouldn't come in."
It comes as fears grow for many pubs in our area, in the wake of the second lockdown.
Kerry added:
"So I thought if the meals were only £1.99 then they would still come in and be able to order a meal without it being too much extra.
"They are substantial meals though, its just a way to make it viable for us so they don't deter people from coming in."
Kerry says they knew things would have to be cheap and quick to make, so that they could keep costs low and keep up when the pub gets busy.
Not opening wasn't an option though, with the offer of £1,000 to stay closed in December the pub wouldn't have been able to survive.
Currently, it's only a temporary measure but the reaction has been positive from regulars and visitors.
Kerry says moving forward she hopes the government rethink the rule:
"It kind of defeats the point because the meals keep people here for longer when they would usually leave sooner.
"It would be nice for them the government to allow us to use a bit of common sense.
"I understand the rules and the need to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but there should be a way to allow people who only want one pint to do that."