An idea was born in December 2020, during lockdown, to encourage those who work in the Hospitality Sector (or even just those who love it), to share their pub stories and create a book to both celebrate and remember the Great British Pub. The originator was keen to relieve the lockdown induced boredom, stress and curtailed socialising, amongst the workforce of the UK's largest pub company.
This idea developed a life of its own, and
quickly evolved into an exciting challenge to create a charity fund raising book of short stories from within, about, or just simply from 'down' the Pub. The interest was overwhelming from those who saw it as a creative escape from the prison of their own homes, and had a pub related tale to tell.
A team was quickly assembled to administer and facilitate this challenge with four lead editors, and a cast of over fifty assistant editors, and consider the hundreds of stories that reflected life across the industry spectrum. They ranged from Tarantula escapes, to love made in the car park; and from pranks on 'locals, ' to fund raising efforts for needy strangers.
From the arrival of the first tale in early February, until the entry deadline of June 21st 2021, the volunteer book team worked tirelessly on editing and proofing. Agonizing decisions were made on what would and wouldn't make the final cut of the first edition. First edits became second, and second edits became third edits. Final proofs were then completed in early June, in readiness for publishing and launch alongside the full re-opening of our beloved pubs (with no restrictions on trading).
The result of all this love and toil, is a book of "Short Stories from Down the Pub," written predominantly by those who work within them. From team members to board directors. It is a light hearted, authentic and eclectic look inside the sacred hub of sociability that is the Great British Pub, written by those without whom, it could not exist.
All proceeds from this book go directly to the Licensed Trade Charity, which exclusively supports Pub People, in times of hardship.
