Bristol pub goes viral after sharing touching tribute to regular
The post has been seen millions of times all around the world
Last updated 16th Apr 2021
A Bristol pub has gone viral online after sharing a touching tribute to one of its regulars.
Before the pandemic hit Stan would have a drink at the Huntsman in Downend every day and had said that when the latest lockdown ended, he would be the first one back through the doors.
Devastatingly though Stan died before he could fulfil that promise, so on Monday (12/04) when the pub did finally reopen, they shared a post on Facebook of a pint at an empty table, saying the first one was for him.
In the five days since the post has been seen millions of times and drawn reaction from around the world, so we have spoken to the pub's general manager Helen Bull to hear all about the story.
"It was only right that the first pint was going to be his because it would have been if he was here," she said.
"We just kind of wanted to acknowledge that. It was just for the regulars really and his family, to acknowledge that we were thinking of them and him."
Before the pandemic Stan would visit the pub every day for a couple of pints and had every intention of going back this year, but he passed away of a non-COVID related cause before that could happen.
"The likes just started growing as the day went on," Helen said as we asked about the reaction.
"I think by Monday night it had reached around 500,000 people and we'd had around 3,000 likes.
"By Tuesday evening it had reached about two million people, we'd had messages from people in Canada, just amazing."
Comments from people reacting have been wholeheartedly positive, with several saying it brought them to tears.
"Everyone knows a Stan," Helen said.
"In any pub they've ever been in there is always that guy that comes in, just has his couple of pints and then goes home.
"So I think it just resonated with people when they saw it. I think that was the reaction really."
With the pub having been open a few days now Helen says the post has sparked lots of conversations in the pub, which she adds, has allowed Stan to be there in spirit.
"He was just a lovely older guy," she added.