Very enjoyable webinar with Antony Worrall Thompson last night.
Antony was in good form ahead of his 70th birthday on May 1.
His pub, The Greyhound near Henley-on-Thames, reopens for outdoor drinking and dining next Wednesday.
I’ll be booking a table as soon as I can although I may have to wait because I understand that advance bookings are in great demand.
During the first lockdown Antony bought a shepherd’s hut so the pub could provide a takeaway service, Greyhound2Go.
This is another example of the type of entrepreneurialism I love to see. Instead of whinging and moaning, Antony has made the best of a difficult situation.
Boisdale’s Ranald Macdonald - a previous guest in The Smoking Room - is another. Likewise the pub in our neighbouring village. And there are many more.
Antony admitted that he wondered whether the takeaway service - which brought in a tenth of the income he could expect when the pub was fully open - was worth it, but on balance he thought that it was.
Funnily enough, it also brought out his rebellious streak when he admitted last year to having 'misread' coronavirus rules.
A rival ‘businessman’ complained that in addition to providing a takeaway service during lockdown, Antony had allowed customers to eat their food in the pub garden.
Worse, there was live music keeping them entertained!!
The police were called and Antony was ‘reminded’ of the regulations. I bet he loved it!