Hello OPC members and a special “welcome” to our new members – we now have 630+ members!
Coming up for you this month, as well as the regular Otley Pub News and Pub Events, we have additional news of the Otley Beer Festival 2020 (yes, it is going ahead!), a Campaign for Pubs piece and a summary of the Covid-19 procedures.
Well, what an eventful few weeks. I’m sure we all agree that times are tough for the hospitality sector. Many posts on the new restrictions are in the news and social media, so we won’t duplicate everything here, except a brief summary from our very own PubWhisperer at the end of the newsletter below.
Please download your NHS Covid-19 app and check in at each venue. Remember, if you cannot or don’t want to use the app, all venues by law MUST supply an alternative Track&Trace method.
Also, no matter what you read on our website, or pub’s own sites (it’s difficult to update everything), remember ALL pubs will shut at 10pm. Just check out the different “last orders” protocols in plenty of time.
Please #SupportOurPubs
This is a deeply worrying time for our pubs and publicans, here in Otley and nationally. The latest restrictions – 10pm curfew and mandatory table service – mean a significant (and for some disastrous) drop in trade combined with higher staff costs. Yet to the dismay of publicans, the Chancellor failed to announce any direct support for pubs in his ‘Winter Economic Statement’. Without support and if these restrictions stay in place (or increase) then many pubs up and down the country will struggle to get through to Christmas, never mind the winter. It’s also disappointing that the Government seems to have brought in restrictions without scientific evidence to back them up and without considering the disastrous impact on pubs and other businesses.
So please (if you feel able to) do get out and support our famous pubs in Otley, despite the restrictions it is possible to do so (and licensees are working hard to keep people safe). Secondly, please do call for support for pubs – by writing to your MP. Please remember (and tell others) that many people’s livelihoods – our hardworking publicans, managers, staff and all their families, including here in Otley, are reliant on their pubs and pub jobs for their livelihood. They need support when it is the restrictions that threaten those livelihoods. You can support our pubs by joining the Campaign for Pubs, the national grassroots campaign (see below).
OTLEY PUB NEWS
Great to see 2 of our favourites back open!
The Manor House
Limited opening for now at weekends, but great to see this old favourite back open, and of course the lovely fire! Good luck to all going forward. Opening hours below.
Whitakers Arms
What a wonderful job Monica and Andy and the team have done. The garden is great, a fantastic asset and we’re getting rave reviews about the food! See below for opening times.
The Junction
If you’ve noticed the doors closed, don’t worry. It’s just a change of landlord (not the beer!). Here’s a message from Geza:
“It’s been a real pleasure living in Otley and getting to know all of our lovely customers over the last year. It has been incredible and we hope to return soon. This is goodbye for now.
Stay safe. Geza,Bex,Cody,Laura and Joel x”
So, a fond farewell the Geza, Bex and the team. They’ve been great under very trying circumstances and we wish them well on their future ventures, and yes, hopefully see them back in Otley very soon.
The Junction is due to re-open Tuesday 6th Dec. It is being taken on by Jason and team, who have the White Swan, so we look forward to them doing a similarly excellent job to the one they’re doing at the Swan and we look forward to welcoming them.
Horse & Farrier
Following the news that Market Town Taverns were not reopening the pub, the owners of the building, Beltowin Estates have now advertised the lease for sale. We had hoped that the building might be bought by a pub operator, but for now we hope that the rent being asked is reasonable (and reflects the challenging trading conditions). Either way we hope to see the pub open again before too long.
The Summer Cross (or should it be Summercross?)
Up for sale but no more news yet.
OTLEY PUB EVENTS
Bay Horse
Along with their excellent selection of drinks, Jan and Dean serve sandwiches Friday, Saturday and Sunday – the ever popular beef & dripping, Coronation Chicken, pork or chicken and stuffing, sausage baps etc.
Also, the Bay Horse loyalty card – load with a minimum of £50 and we add on an extra £5.00 – selling really fast. Call into the pub for details.
Black Bull
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 50p off selected drinks
House Doubles – with a “dash” £3.50 – with Premium Mixer £4.50
Double up on Premium Spirits for just £1.50 extra
Black Horse Hotel
We’ll be closing our kitchen on Mondays, but will be back serving delicious new meals and exciting small plates from Tuesday onwards.
We’re still open everyday for your favourite Kirkstall pints, plus regularly changing guest beers.
SUNDAY ROASTS ARE BACK – Serving until 6pm
JOB ALERT: We are looking for a Part Time Junior Sous/Assistant chef. Salary based on experience. Weekend and evening work with a view to going full time if the right fit. L2 food safety cert preferred but not essential. For full job description email hello@theblackhorseotley.co.uk
The Fleece
New opening and food service times which will start from 24th Sept.
Opening hours:
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm Food: 12pm – 8:30pm
Sun: 11.30am to 7pm Food: 12pm – 5:30pm
The Fleece weekly offers:
Monday Club – all cask ales £2.95 per pint
Tues – 2 steaks and a bottle of wine only £30, plus also Tues – any double gin (from a selection of 30+) & Fever Tree £5.95
Weds – Wine down Wednesday. Great selection of house wines only £9.95 per bottle
Thurs – 2 steaks and a bottle of wine only £30
Groove Pad Beer & Vinyls
Opening times:
Mon: 2pm to 8pm
Tues-Sun: 10am to 10pm
Quiz night every Wednesday 7.30pm
The Manor House
Opening Friday through to Sunday only for now.
Fri – 4pm to 10pm
Sat – 2pm to 10pm
Sun 2pm – 10pm
Music obviously not allowed yet but just fantastic to see them open again.
Great offer for Cask Beer (Mary Jane, Wainwrights & Thwaites Original Best Bitter) on Sundays at £2 per pint!
North Bar Social
A great initiative in place here as a thank you to NHS workers. During lockdown, customers on the North Brewing Co webshop donated £3840 to buy NHS workers a pint. Head to any North Bar, show your NHS ID and claim any drink up to the value of £5 – if you don’t fancy a beer, you can have tea, coffee etc.
The Old Cock
Congratulations to Lee and Linda and all the team on their 10th anniversary which passed back in early September! The new seating area is a treat – shame the weather is turning again now – let’s hope for some sunny autumn afternoons!
Otley Tap House
The back yard continues it’s improvements. Covering on the yard to come? Should be interesting.
Mondays – All cask beer (plus Guinness) £2 per pint all day.
Music returns (weather permitting) to Otley! All on Saturdays at 7pm unless noted – not heard them before? Check the artists out on YouTube!
10th Oct – Subject to Status at 8pm
16th Oct (Fri) – Rory Hall
17th Oct – The Washboard Resonators
23rd Oct (Fri) and 24th Oct (Sat) – Whiskey Pistol – extra date added due to overwhelming demand!
31st Oct – Leeds City Stompers
13th Nov (Fri) – Martyn Roper
28th Nov – Terri Shaltiel duo
5th Dec – Sundogs
19th Dec – Whiskey Pistol
23rd Dec (Weds) Martyn Roper
Also, dates for your diary, 4th to 6th Dec – The Otley Taps Beer Festival. No Victorian Fayre this weekend, so come along and enjoy over 20 cask ales and ciders – there should be something for everyone. Sure to be a cracker!
Otley Tavern
Opening times:
Mon to Sun 11am to 9.30pm
Happy hour 4-7pm, with 50p off all draught pints.
Stewie’s Kitchen back open 2nd October Midday until 8pm with a fresh new updated menu!
Rose & Crown
Thirsty Thursdays – 25p off all spirits and pints! And also, Fri-Sat between 6pm and 10pm
Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo Weds 7.30pm – great prizes!
Thursday night is Quiz Night 7.30pm – incl. Thirsty Thursday offers!
Whitakers Arms
Happy Hours – Mon to Fri 4pm til 7pm – 50p off all cask ales
Opening hours as of 1st Oct:
Daily Midday to 10pm, except closed all day Thursday and at 7pm Sunday
Kitchen hours:
Midday to 7pm daily, except kitchen closed Thurs.
Tuesdays Seniors (and those with lighter appetites!) Special menu 2 courses £5.95 Midday to 4pm (Full menu also available)
Sunday lunch 1pm to 5pm only £8.95
The Yew Tree
New “Savers menu” 2 for £12 or £6.49 each, and brand new Mains Menu – check out our Facebook page for the menu https://www.facebook.com/yewtreeotley
Food times:
Thursday 12pm – 4pm (Seniors lunch £4.95 incl. a drink, plus add a dessert for just £1)
Fri/Sat 5pm – 7.30pm
Sunday Carvery eat in or Free Delivery! – 12pm – 4pm. Just £8.95 (or £7.95 for seniors & vulnerable). Call us to order 01943 461330
Don’t forget – Our popular Quiz nights are the first Tuesday of the month 9pm-10.30pm and Sunday 8.45pm-10.45pm, with great prizes and a free supper!
PUBLICANS! If you want your event/offer published here monthly, for
free, to our 630+ members, please let us know at info@otleypubclub.co.uk
OTLEY BEER FESTIVAL 2020
Yes, it’s still on, but a changed format of course. Here’s a message
from our good friends from The Otley Beer Festival Committee:
All change at Otley Beer Festival 2020
Otley’s annual charity beer festival, which to date has raised £105,000
for good causes is (hopefully) to happen despite Covid-19. Assuming
pubs are still trading at the Festival’s usual opening date of
mid-November, the Festival is this year “on Tour” in the town’s pubs and
bars. Each participating pub or bar will be hosting a cask of beer as a
charity fundraiser. Look out for the special OBF on Tour pump clip to
see which beer is being hosted. Enjoy a pint knowing that all the
proceeds from that beer will be split between the Alzheimer’s Society
and the NSPCC, then either move to another venue to sample another
charity beer or see what else is on offer where you are.
The Festival programme will be online, so to see where a specific beer
is and when it will be on, check out the Festival’s Social Media feeds
or scan the QR code in participating pubs and bars.
The Festival has already launched at the Royalty as a “Beta Test” with
great success, and, barring pub closures, will open in the town’s
outlets on Friday 13th November ( . . . we know!) till the final pint is
pulled.
It’s so nice to see one of Otley’s annual events squaring up to go live,
with the help and support of Otley’s fabulous community of pubs and
bars.
Facebook: OtleyBeerFestival
Twitter: @Otley_BeerFest
Instagram: otleybeerfestival
Well done to the OBF committee and all the participating pubs for their efforts to help make this happen.
CAMPAIGN FOR PUBS – Promote, Support & Protect Pubs
A (relatively) new initiative to support ALL UK pubs, the Campaign for
Pubs was formed in April to be the new national campaign voice for all
who care about pubs, bringing together publicans, customers,
campaigners.and independent brewers. You can see the mission statement here.
There is a serious threat to our pubs during the current situation.
Publicans, including in Otley, are saying that they won’t last more than
a few months under the current restrictions. Without change we will see
many pub closures. The Campaign has created an open letter to the
Chancellor which all publicans are bring asked to read and sign –
several of our Otley publicans have signed it. It’s now got over 800
signatures of publicans round the country.
So if you are a publican/pub owner/manager, do add your name. Everyone
else please do share on social media with #SupportOurPubs. The letter is here
THE CHANGING WORLD OF PUBS IN COVID-19 LOCKDOWN by Bob Brook (aka The PubWhisperer)
Just as we were all getting used to the
changed way of having a pint with our mates, following the re-opening of
pubs on Independence Day [Oh, the irony!], along came another batch of
rule changes to comply with, and to confuse us all. As far as I’m aware
[at the time of writing – 7:45pm on Monday, 28/09 – these are the rules
to follow, so we can all ‘enjoy’ going to the pub.]
- Opening Hours – All pubs must close at 10pm, so ‘drinking-up time’ has to be before 10, not after. [But they can open from 5am if they want, and if they’re suitably licensed].
- Recording Personal Details – The official NHS COVID-19 phone app went live on the 24th of September, and every pub must display a poster containing a unique QR code for you to log in and record your visit. [Of course it does more than that – you’re supposed to keep Bluetooth switched on permanently so it can record which other phones you have been close to. When the owner of one of those phones records a positive COVID-19 test on the app, you will be informed automatically and asked to self-isolate. The system is completely anonymous.] It’s still a legal requirement for pubs to have a paper recording system if you don’t have, or don’t want to use, a smartphone. You can check out the full [and rather long] details on the Government test and trace website. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace
- Table Service – You can no longer stand at the bar to order a drink or wait to be served. You have to be directed to a table where a member of staff will take your order and then deliver it to the table. You must remain seated at all times, except when visiting the toilet or leaving the pub.
- Face Masks – This really IS an easy one to understand. As soon as you enter a pub, you must be wearing a face covering. You must keep it on until you have been seated at a table. If you get up to visit the toilet [and you certainly shouldn’t be visiting people at any other table] you must wear the mask all the time until you are seated again. Finally, when you stand up to leave the pub, you must wear the mask until you are once again out on the street. [Of course, if it’s a pub or bar inside a covered shopping mall, you have to keep the mask on until you are back out in the open air – but we don’t have any of them in Otley!]
- The ‘Rule of Six’ – From September 14th it’s been illegal to meet in groups of more than 6, indoors or outdoors, to simplify the rules on social gatherings. It’s now so simple there are over 20 exceptions to the rule, under 14 bullet points on the Government Covid-19 Guidance website!
- Leeds Local Lockdown – Just 10 days after the rule of 6 was introduced for the whole country, Otley was included in specific Leeds-wide rules banning people from two or more separate households from mixing, at home or in their own garden. [This time there are just 9 bullet point exceptions on the Leeds CC website.] However, these rules are only advisory as far as meeting in pubs is concerned, which means that as long as you follow all the existing hand sanitising and distancing rules – and all the new pub rules above – you can still choose to have a beer with someone from another household without risking a fine! [And as far as I know, if you live in that part of Otley which is in North Yorkshire – check the name on your wheelie bin – the local lockdown rules don’t apply to you anyway!]
No Committee meetings or Member Socials planned of course, but we will
keep you updated on here monthly, and via our Social Media Apps:
Web: http://www.otleypubclub.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Otley-Pub-Club
Twitter: @OtleyPubClub
Instagram: otley_pub_club
And remember, if you have any news for us, just let us know! info@otleypubclub.co.uk
That’s it folks. The hospitality sector is suffering yet again – so,
please support your local pubs – remember, use them or lose them.
Be safe, be socially distanced, be face-masked up, complete your
Track&Trace, and be tolerant. The pub staff are not responsible for
the laws, so please treat them and others with respect. Together we will
get through this!
See you around and about in our #FamousPubTown!
The Otley Pub Club Committee
