Back your pub call from CAMRA to real ale drinkers in Nottinghamshire

Real ale drinkers are being urged by CAMRA to return to their local pub. Photo by Pixabay

The licensing trade has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and continues to feel the effects after reopening due to social distancing measures resulting in reduced capacity.

Members of the Nottingham branch of CAMRA are continuing to champion local pubs serving real ale and cider with the launch of a Back to the Pub campaign in October.

Steve Westby, branch chairman, said: “Local pubs have experienced a very difficult time, being closed during lockdown and now in many cases since re- opening suffering a significant drop in trade.

"We feel that it is important to do all we can to help get them back on their feet, to avoid suffering yet more pub closures. Our campaign is just one way of encouraging individuals to get back to the pub”.

During the month of October, pubs displaying the ‘Support your local pub’ poster will be part of the campaign/promotion. To participate in this promotion pubgoers will only need to visit 15 different pubs recording the name of the pub, date of visit, cask ale tried and obtain the unique reference number given to each participating pub.

Nottingham CAMRA is one of 25 branches in the East Midlands region and covers the city as well as the boroughs of Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood.

The branch organises an annual Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival every October but this has currently been postponed until November 18 to 21, 2020, when it will be held at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena in a Covid-protective environment.

The national CAMRA organisation has backed the branch calls for people to support their local real ale pub.

Chairman Nik Antonia says on the organisation’s website: “Not being able to go to the pub for a pint over the past few months has really brought home how important our locals are to our communities and to tackling loneliness and social isolation. it is important that we give pubs our support in the weeks and months ahead so they can survive and thrive.”

Drinkers returning to their local pub are urged to plan ahead and book in advance where possible and not to take their empties back to the bar.