When every penny counts, the offer of a free drink is not to be sniffed at. But there is one condition - you have to visit the pub with a neighbour.
It comes after almost half of Brits admitted to feeling lonely once a week or more since lockdown ended, according to new national research. The study, conducted by pub company and brewer Greene King, revealed how community ties have changed since the Covid pandemic resulted in a national lockdown in 2020.
For many towns and villages, the heart of the community is the local pub. So to help bolster neighbourhood spirit in the new year and encourage people to get together, Greene King is offering a free drink - including Ice Breaker Pale Ale - to anyone who visits a participating pub with a neighbour on January 11 between 3pm and 9pm.
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To claim a free drink, all customers need to do is head into one of participating local pubs with their neighbour and use the codeword ‘neighbour’ when making their purchase.
Participating pubs across Nottinghamshire are:
- Royal Oak, Bulwell
- Sherwin Arms, Bramcote
- Sun Inn, Eastwood
- Rose and Crown, Lenton
- Meadow Covert, Edwalton
- Badger Box, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Oak Tree, Mansfield
- Talbot Inn, Mansfield
- Plainsman, Mapperley
- Admiral Rodney, Wollaton
- Starting Gate, Colwick
- Tap and Tumbler, Nottingham city centre
- The Beechdale, Beechdale
- Three Ponds, Nuthall
- Broad Oak, Strelley village
- Fox and Crown, Sutton-in-Ashfield
- Festival Inn, Trowell
- Lady Bay, West Bridgford
- Romans Rest, Worksop
The offer can be redeemed on selected drinks. As well as a pint or bottle of Ice Breaker Pale Ale, they include a single Beefeater London Dry, Pink Strawberry or Blood Orange gin with Schweppes tonics and selected soft drinks including a regular glass of draught Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
Andrew Gallagher, marketing director at Greene King Local Pubs, said: “We wanted to start the new year by helping locals to rekindle the feeling of togetherness which has been lost since the pandemic was at its height. Local pubs sit at the heart of the community, and we know many people are having a tough time at the minute, which is why we want to bring people together, to enjoy a drink on us.”
When it comes to forging connections with neighbours, clap for carers (27%), sharing food and supplies (26%) and attending community events such as street parties (24%) were the main drivers of community spirit during lockdown, the research found. However, this didn’t last long, with the study revealing that almost a quarter (22%) are no longer taking part in these community events, and a further 21% no longer feel the need to support their neighbours.
On average, Brits claim to know just four of their neighbours on a first name basis. One in five (19%) young people aged 18 to 24, meanwhile, have never actually met their neighbours at all – a stark contrast to the older generation of 55 to 64-year-olds, of which only 1% said the same.
When it comes to why we don’t know our neighbours, over half of respondents (54%) say it’s because they enjoy their privacy, nearly a third (29%) don’t want to invade their neighbours’ privacy and a quarter (25%) feel shy or nervous about doing so. Overall, this means a fifth of Brits (17%) say that a strong sense of community spirit is lacking where they live.
Having only recently started to recover from the effects of the pandemic, local communities are now being hit by worries over the cost of living crisis. Half of Brits (51%) say the crisis has had a significant effect on their local community, and 38% believe there is now an increased need for food banks in their area.
When it comes to financial support, locals are keen for more community focused events, with 44% of people calling for more free events in pubs, and 38% are keen to build a better support network with neighbours.
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