New Years Eve, your thoughts would be great on the following.

[Botolphman]

My local SS, my name will probably give away, has decided to charge ?3.50 to go into the pub NYE. I visit the pub most days and initially thought "well it is a bit of a bonus for the staff, so although I disagree I will pay it". It transpires that the whole of the money charged will not be shared, but will go directly into the pockets of the landlord and landlady.
Now we all know what Humphrey is like, so if they can get a bonus fair enough, but it strikes me as taking the mickey out of customers you see all year.
Would love to know what other managers and customers of other SS think.
BM

[OldBreweryDrinker]

Like you say i think it is not fair if customers are been charged to go into a Sam's pub that they go into most weeks of the year. As for the managers keeping it all, i think that is wrong, as the staff are working just as hard.I wonder if Humphrey knows about this practice, and whether he will going to his pubs to see if they are shut just after midnight. 

[Botolphman]

Being charged to go in I can partly understand, it is the fact that they are keeping the money for themselves and not putting a buffet on, a thank you. We will just hear how good the next holiday is and know that we helped pay for it on NYE!!!!

[OnTheDrink]

The manager of my local SS pub wouldn't dream of charging, and the owner of a nearby free house where I'll probably see the new year in wouldn't dream of charging either but shuts the doors at 10:30 so the regulars get a good night without putting up with hordes of strangers.  I think any pub that charges on New Year's Eve without putting on any anything that adds value to the night, like maybe a lavish buffet, clearly takes their customers for granted, exploiting and ripping them off.

[Botolphman]

To be honest the buffet thing was a bit tongue in cheek. If they were to say that the charge was for them and the bar staff because they do not get a bonus, not a problem and would pay ?5, but the fact we know it is going straight in their pocket is a frustration. The annoying thing is that there will be people in who want to be with year round friends on NYE, but some will not be there on principle, yes I know this means those who are not there will be the ones who miss out, but principle is principle.

[OnTheDrink]

To be honest the buffet thing was a bit tongue in cheek. If they were to say that the charge was for them and the bar staff because they do not get a bonus, not a problem and would pay ?5, but the fact we know it is going straight in their pocket is a frustration. The annoying thing is that there will be people in who want to be with year round friends on NYE, but some will not be there on principle, yes I know this means those who are not there will be the ones who miss out, but principle is principle.

Yes, if I thought that a cover charge was anything other than a cynical move to suck cash from loyal customers pockets then I'd probably be ok with it, especially if staff were getting a bung (although they should do ok from tips and drinks) but there are a lot of places that see it as an opportuntity to do just that, without giving some added value back to the customers.

[ian]

My take on this is:

A public house is just that, a public house.  It is not a club so you should not have to pay to enter. OK if the pub as two rooms one could be used and a charge can be made as long as there's one room with free entry. Also if the managers do put a buffet then yes I would be happy to pay, but not for just going in for a drink.

I wonder what the brewery take on this is?  Surly the manager as asked them if it OK.

ian.

[BlackDog]

The best deal I have come across is a fiver for a ticket in advance which was reimbursed with the first drink of the evening. As if you had paid the fiver on the night and your change for the drink or any additional moneies due were sorted then.

This meant regulars could enjoy the festivities without being gatecrashed by loons. It worked well for years but it was some time ago.

[Botolphman]

Ian, I find it difficult to believe that Humphrey would agree to this, so I think they are basing it on the fact that they are too far south for him to pay a surprise visit. To be honest it is getting to be the tip of the iceberg, some of the things that go on in there, but that is another novel with plenty of chapters, and not all Humphrey's fault!!!

[shemon]

I am a manager of a SS pub and believe me, as much as I think Humph goes a bit too far at times, there is no way he would agree to people paying to go into his pubs, New Years Eve or not.

[ian]

I also think it is wrong that the new member as named the pub concerned.

ian.

[OnTheDrink]

Ian, I find it difficult to believe that Humphrey would agree to this, so I think they are basing it on the fact that they are too far south for him to pay a surprise visit. To be honest it is getting to be the tip of the iceberg, some of the things that go on in there, but that is another novel with plenty of chapters, and not all Humphrey's fault!!!

They might think he won't go too far South but it was only last year or the year before when he turned up a Stamford on NYE. He doesn't care - not like he's going to be celebrating anything!
Post Merge: Dec 29 - 2010

I also think it is wrong that the new member as named the pub concerned.

ian.

It would only be wrong to name the pub if the charge was fictional, otherwise the manager only has himself to blame. I understand that they aren't the best paid but extracting cash from regulars is far from being a decent way to make a few bob.

[Botolphman]

Ian, sorry if you think it is wrong to  name a pub, but what is more wrong, a pub that will have it landlords taking over £500 from regular customers, or me naming the pub.

[mac33]

There are two sides to every story,if they are charging a fee for NYE and keeping it that is wrong,however if the are charging a fee to ensure the regulars have a good evening get to meet their mates and not be swamped by strangers after cheap ale,that  is a different story,what i am getting at is this if a fee is being charged someone has to be on the doors to keep out those who have not paid and these people on the doors will not work for nothing not on NYE so could not this fee be paying the doormen.

[centurion]

Please, please do not forget!! As soon as you have 'sung Auld lang Syne'?

It's everybody OUT