Dog's Life September 2020
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No. 15 Your Community Freehouse News - September 2020 In the last issue we highlighted some of the events that we had planned - unfortunately, Covid-19 had other ideas! It has been a stressful few months for a lot of people, and the Dog Inn is no exception, however, we would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some of the things that have been going on behind the scenes during the weeks that we were closed. INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION With the help of the Jamie Evans says, “When television programmes. restaurant, we have been we took over the restaurant, The first was BBC breakfast recognised as a ‘2020 our priority was to establish where Dave Hollings Travelers’ Choice, Best of the a reputation for excellent and Yvonne Brown were Best’ award winner! Based food at The Dog Inn and interviewed about the on a full year of Tripadvisor to champion the fantastic importance of the pub to the reviews, we are now rated ingredients available on our community and the fears and in the top 10% of hospitality doorstep, we feel we have aspirations of re-opening. businesses around the globe. achieved that, but there is still lots of hard work to do.” Then a few weeks later, Restaurant operators Jamie Craig Steele was interviewed Evans & Mark Taylor have Please note if you are thinking for ITV news on the fears gone from strength to of making a reservation with of any new lockdown. It is strength after taking over our us please book in advance to amazing that both national restaurant in May 2019. In avoid disappointment. broadcasters chose our local just over a year they have Further spotlight was then community-owned pub as helped put The Dog Inn at thrown on the pub as the pub to feature in their Belthorn back on the map, the country came out of broadcasts. and are now the number 3 lockdown. The Dog Inn was restaurant in Blackburn! featured on two national Thoughts from the Chair Well, 2020 hasn’t gone quite as track and trace system. we expected. Beer was ordered, our staff team As the Covid 19 pandemic was reassembled (all our staff took off on 16th March the but one came back), the inside Government recommended of the pub was reconfigured, people should not go to pubs. the bar was closed off and We responded quickly by cleaning systems were upgraded. deciding to keep The Dog open We transformed the front car but implementing more cleaning park into a ‘beer garden’ to and cancelling all events. But encourage people to sit outside on 20th March the Government when possible. On 30th June closed all pubs. We tried to we were contacted by the BBC keep the shop going but quickly about filming The Dog Inn and agreeing to host a car valeting realised that we did not have on 3rd July the pub was featured service and a popular and the systems in place to protect nationally on BBC Breakfast. successful beer giveaway on VE volunteers and customers. On Day where we also raised £216 On 4th July, the first day we 25th March we closed the shop. which was split between the were allowed to reopen, the The first priority of the board Village Committee and the NHS. bar, coffee shop and shop were was to make sure that The Dog re-opened. And, of course, the And meanwhile we planned Inn was able to re-open no Belthorn weather obliged by for re-opening. We realised matter how long it was shut by raining all day. The restaurant that, based on government the government. Within the pub continued as a takeaway service guidance, re-opening was going trade there were early indications for the first two weeks. But The to be a process rather than a that pubs could be closed until Dog Inn had re-opened its doors big bang. On 5th June we re- October, so we planned on that to support the community of opened the coffee shop serving basis. We reduced costs where Belthorn once more. takeaways from the pub porch possible, furloughed all our staff and Jamie and Mark started a But the Covid 19 pandemic is and secured a £10k grant for popular takeaway food menu. not over and neither are the hospitality businesses. A week later we re-opened the uncertainties. On 30th July We also wanted to support shop from the porch and the the Government announced Jamie and Mark, two young following week started a bread that East Lancashire was an talented chefs at the beginning delivery service. We received intervention area, placing further of their business careers. We a small grant from the Plunkett restrictions on how pubs could wanted them back. We helped Foundation for costs in doing operate. We had to change our them with advice and support, this. operations overnight. Rumours waived their rent while the pub swirl that pubs could be closed We continued to plan for was closed and agreed to split when schools reopen and a re-opening the bar on 4th business rates so that they could second wave could lead to a July despite lack of detailed get a hospitality grant. second lockdown. We have governance form the therefore secured a £40k Bounce We took the opportunity to Government which was finally Back Loan which is sitting in a redecorate and do some minor released on 25th June (all 42 separate bank account to be paid repairs. We had a new extension pages of it!). All hands were to back in full next year if it is not built behind the bar. We carried the pump to make sure that we used but it is an insurance policy on with low level activity whilst could open on 4th July in line to make sure that, no matter closed – supporting Belthorn with Government guidance on what 2020 has still to throw our Buddies, wildflower planting making the pub Covid 19 safe, way, The Dog Inn will come on the field, a virtual dog show, social distancing measures and a though. Make an individual visit appointment in a COVID-19 secure environment to find out why Belthorn Academy is so special! Applications for primary school Reception places for September 2021 are now open. Christmas Day AT THE DOG INN, BELTHORN 01254 55620 Christmas Day ChristmasFRIDAYAT THE 25DOGTH INN,DECEMBER BELTHORN Day [email protected] AT THEFRIDAY DOG 25 THINN, DECEMBER BELTHORN FRIDAY 25TH DECEMBER WE ALSO HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF5 COURSES5 COURSES • £65 • £65 PER PER PERSON* PERSON* • • 1 PM 1 PMOR 4ORPM SITTING4PM SITTING ‘IN-YEAR’ PLACES, CONTACT US FOR INFO 5 COURSES • £65 PER PERSON* • 1PM OR 4PM SITTING TO BOOK CALL 07773 229933 TO* CHILDREN’S BOOK CALL MENU 07773AVAILABLE 229933 AT £25 TO *BOOK CHILDREN’S CALL MENU AVAILABLE07773 AT229933 £25 * CHILDREN’S MENU AVAILABLE AT £25 ALL YOU KNEAD! The Dog Inn has recently of baked goods, including: started bread deliveries ‘real bread’ made without from Chorley bakery, All You the use of additives or Knead. preservatives, pies, pastries They deliver every Saturday and confectionery. All items Advertising Space to The Dog Inn and have lots must be pre-ordered. of freshly baked products Order by messaging The Dog Space available in the bar available on a pre-order & Inn on Facebook or by texting area to rent for small local collection basis (collect 07886 650982 businesses!!! Saturdays from Look out for a pricelist As Lancashire’s first community 12pm). that was delivered with owned and run pub we would They produce a your Dog’s Life. like to support local business by large selection offering the display cupboard under the stairs in the bar area to rent. The space will be available for locals to sell their products for the cost of 10% of the sales made. For further information please contact Kathryn at: [email protected] CALLING TREE LOVERS DO YOU NEED SOMEWHERE FOR & HUGGERS! FRIENDS & FAMILY TO STAY WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT? Help protect YOUR environment and be involved in the legacy of tree planting in Belthorn! We are expecting a delivery of 250 saplings at the end of November and will be looking for volunteers to Midsummer Barn Holiday Cottage help plant these saplings in the field behind the Dog could be the answer... Inn. If you would like to be involved please Located down Bank Fold Lane in Belthorn, contact Kathryn at [email protected] Midsummer Barn Holiday Cottage can sleep up or watch out on our Facebook page for to 7 people, plus 2 cots. Well-behaved pets are also welcome and there is an enclosed rear garden for upcoming planting dates. children and pets to take advantage of. 10% discount when you mention Dog’s Life when booking. Future Events We currently don’t know when we will be www.midsummerbarn.co.uk allowed to put on any events again, so all events E-mail: [email protected] are currently cancelled until further notice. We Phone: Yvonne on 07711 848994 will try to advertise any events we have on the website and on our Facebook page, so please keep checking those. OPENING HOURS CALLING POTENTIAL PUB ADVERTISERS MON: CLOSED TUES: 2pm - 9pm Do you have anything to sell, or WED: 12pm - 9pm would you like to advertise your THURS - SAT: 12pm - 10pm business in the Dog’s Life. SUNDAY: 12pm - 8pm Issued 3 to 4 times a year, Dog’s Life RESTAURANT is distributed to all 224 homes in MON & TUE: CLOSED Belthorn, as well as some homes in WED - SAT: 12pm - 8pm Hoddlesden, Guide and Blackburn, SUNDAY: 12pm - 8pm and to all the Shareholders of the Dog Inn.