Bell Inn to re-open soon

THE BELL INN, Whitchurch

UPDATE: GREAT NEWS – Application Approved

Some wonderful work has been taking place at the historic BELL INN Whitchurch to bring it back into life as a local public amenity which will help support both the town and the surrounding area's social, leisure and economic needs. 

The Bell, a Listed Building, closed a year ago having been under the wonderful ownwnership of popular publicans Jan and the late Paul Mcgarvey and is currently being renovated.

An Application has now been submitted for its Premises Licence, ref 26/01464/PREMV

The Campaign for Real Ale is sharing its own support here and asks its members, residents and our local Councillors to do the same.

Rural towns and their surrounding areas have lost far too many of its public houses and other services and much support as possible should be given to those who wish to develop businesses.  

The letter sent to the Licensing Committee is reproduced below. Copying and using its content is acceptable for anyone who wishes to express support.

This should be sent to licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk

Click to enlarge

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The Bell Whitchurch – some thoughts

What is happening at The Bell? 
Let's recognise it's importance to Whitchurch

The historic timber-framed Bell Inn in Whitchurch is one of few small traditional style local public houses that remain in the area, a place where people meet, converse, make friends, and socialise.

 
When open this 15th-century Listed Building was a fabulous, friendly, sociable place to meet under the wonderful long-standing publicans Jan McGarvey and her late husband Paul.
Yet sadly, it has now been closed over a year.

Whitchurch is a small Hampshire town that was once known for its public houses, a core feature in the deep community spirit that existed. 

That spirit has been stretched with the loss of other social venues, the Harvest Home, the Red House, the Old Brewery, the Railway, the Yeoman, all within relatively recent memories.

There is a famous quote:

Over one hundred years ago the Star newspaper reported:

“Whitchurch is in Hampshire. People who live in it call it a town. People who live out of it call it a village. It is about as big as a good-sized pocket handkerchief. It has three shops and 19 public houses.”

Although the town has since grown considerably and is in line for much greater expansion, Whitchurch has already lost the vast majority of those pubs and today only three remain open.

Although some refurbishment has been taking place at the Bell, let us hope it can also be officially recognised for the value it deserves and the wonderful legacy that Jan and Paul left the community.

A call is going out to have it registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
The Kings Arms has already been given this status after work by local residents along with members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). 

The Bell should follow, particularly as ACVs are recognised within the local Neighbourhood Plan.

What is an Asset of Community Value (ACV):

• it is a material planning consideration, which gives the Council additional reasons to reject any proposal involving loss of the pub;
• it gives the community the opportunity to bid for the property if it is sold or leased for 25 years or more;
• 
  it gives Councils powers of compulsory purchase if the community use of the asset is in danger of being lost.

Meanwhile CAMRA is also currently discussing planning matters with government ministers over proposals that ALL pubs that have a recognised 'heritage value' should automatically have ACV registration. There are encouraging signs this may happen.
However, until then individual applications need to be submitted.

The Bell Inn should be given this recognition.

Our Councils are being asked to support this aim given its importance to the people of Whitchurch and area, and to have the Bell Inn duly registered.

The Bell Inn, a centre of the social scene.

One Bell opens but others remain Closed

THREE BELLS

Another Hampshire pub has been saved.

There are three pubs in north Hampshire named The Bell, and until last week all were closed.
Now, in brilliant news, The Bell in Odiham on the historic Bury has reopened having been saved from being replaced as housing by the local community which raised the funds to purchase and save the pub.
Last weekend saw the official opening with many activities including Morris dancing.

This small traditional two room pub is a Grade II Listed Building and is steeped in 500 years of local history as a hostelry. 

To give a feel for the pub's character' it also has Dominoes, Shove Ha'penny and Pickled Eggs, while on the bar three cask beers are currently served – Fullers London Pride, Flowerpots Pots Bitter and Odiham Drizzle, a Flack Manor rebadged dark mild.

It is a fantastic win for the Odiham pub scene and showed the importance of being registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and of having local community support.

The Bell is easy to reach by using the 13 Basingstoke/Alton service, getting off at Crownfields and taking the adjacent footpath to the Bury. 

Its a 'must visit' pub

The pub opens at 4.30pm each day including weekends, but is closed Mondays.

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The other Bells:

Sadly the other two ‘Bells’ remain closed.

The Bell in Whitchurch, another Grade II Listed pub, closed a year ago with a hope it would reopen but despite some limited work the doors remain closed. It would be good if the Council had registered it as an ACV but as yet that hasn’t taken place. A request is to be made.
Regrettably hope for reopening has been lost for The Bell at Weyhill which has been given planning permission to become a childrens nursery. It currently deteriorates behind hoardings as substantial work has yet to commence.

The Bell, Weyhill – CLOSED 👎

The Bell, Whitchurch – CLOSED 👎

The Bell, Odiham – SAVED and OPEN 👍

SUPPORT OUR PUBS

"When you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England"

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Vicolo v Powder Monkey – which is best?

Vicolo v Powder Monkey

These two new Andover venues, opening within weeks of each other in the High Street, have brought a much needed boost to the Hampshire market town. With these, and the building of the new theatre underway, the town centre is certainly starting to look up.

After several visits to each, comparisons are inevitable so here goes...

The newly opened VICOLO LOUNGE is one of over 260 'Lounges' throughout the country, one of the fastest growing independent chains of bar/restaurants.

Vicolo Lounge Bar

In the old Barclay Bank, it follows their heavily furnished lampshade/framed picture decor style run on an inclusive friendly community model. 

The wide menu choice caters for all with good prompt table or friendly bar service. The recommended use of the on-table QR Code has drinks served usually within minutes and food just a little longer – it works well.
The brunches are highly recommended as are the tapas boards but if tempted by the extras such as flatbreads or sides the cost may start to escalate.

For beer lovers the list is limited though there is welcome nod to the company's independent west country roots with the bottled Bristol Beer Factory Stout. Otherwise it is fairly mainstream although does include the newer version of Hofmeister pilsner, far better than the tasteless 'follow the bear' version of years gone past.

A visit is highly recommended.

So on to the POWDER MONKEY AT THE GUILDHALL. Here the feel is much more open and minimalist decor with the large high expansive ex-market hall venue refurbished to recognise the building's historic character. 

Powder Monkey at the Guildhall

Powder Monkey are a fast growing company based at their brewery in Gosport which itself only began brewing in 2021 and have since acquired a number of other small breweries in the UK and Australia.

The opening of the Andover venue is a relatively new aspect of their business and deserves to do well. You are always greeted on entry and like the Vicolo there is a strong emphasis on the welcome. Also like Vicolo there is no pressure and you can pop in for a coffee or beer as much as something to eat. Staff are very friendly, attentive and helpful and interact with customers well, perhaps better than at Vicolo. They are always asking for feedback, and experience shows it is acted upon.

Service is a mix of bar and table service with a good range of food and drinks with an emphasis on  independent suppliers. Food is exceptional with a limited changing menu. The 'Nibbles' are exceptional value and chosen together can make a full meal, while the Sunday roasts are highly recommended.

As would be expected there is a wide choice of beers with six of their tasty craft keg beers on tap including their lager, bitters, IPAs and stout, alongside a variety of cans. There is also a good selection of bottled beers from their other breweries, notably from Goddard's on the Isle of Wight. You won't find national brands here. 

So which to visit?
Both venues are a very welcome addition to the town, and are both open 7-days a week. One surprising aspect is that neither open for breakfast for workers in the town which would seem short-sighted. However, each has their own strengths and it is difficult to split them.
If we had to choose it would be a smidgeon towards Powder Monkey at the Guildhall but that would be for its beers and that service is a touch more friendly. 

Otherwise both are very highly recommended. Visit both.

9/10 each

How do pubs get into the Good Beer Guide?

This is a regular question amongst beer drinkers and pub users – how does a pub make it into the Good Beer Guide, often called the 'Beer Drinkers Bible'? 

There is of course one very simple answer – serve the very best beer in the area, but how is that decided?

The Good Beer Guide, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is now in its 53rd edition, with entries being selected by local CAMRA members through an ongoing beer scoring assessment. This is carried out throughout the whole year. It is totally independent and unlike many other guides no venue can buy its way in.

Final selection meetings take place early in each year, using the thousands of scores submitted over the previous year from CAMRA's 140,000+ members.
So to gain entry ensure the pub's beer is in top notch condition.

To obtain the 2026 edition see:
CAMRA Shop

To take part in the Beer Scoring access the CAMRA website and search for a pub/location.
Note you need to be a CAMRA member to add a score.
See: Campaign for Real Ale

Local Pubs in the current edition are here:
https://thehappypint.blogspot.com/2025/09/2026-good-beer-guide-published.html

Transport on Demand – Access to Country Pubs

An exciting new Connect Transport-on-Demand bus service has been launched centred on the Andover (Northern Test Valley area), providing flexible bus journeys in areas that have no public transport.

Importantly the service is available to anyone, including those who enjoy visiting country pubs.

As well as linking local communities and helping many by who have suffered from the cuts by local bus companies, notably by Stagecoach, this could prove to be a lifeline to many village public houses.

Modern minibuses

The pre-bookable service which uses modern well-equipped minibuses (USB, etc), operates where there are no other bus services. The minibuses do not follow a fixed routes or timetables but they do serve around 350 bus stops.

The only requirements are to register in advance, book the journey (by app, online or phone) and to pay the fare which varies from £2 to £5.50.

The service currently runs from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday with journeys on a first come first served basis which can be booked up to three days in advance.

Local Campaign for Real Ale members are giving full support to this service and 'test' trips are being held.
North Hampshire CAMRA Pub Protection Officer John Buckley has been trying out some of the possibilities saying 

"Many pubs have been cut off from customers through the loss of local bus services. This can give these pubs much needed custom."
He has also has compiled a list of public houses that had lost bus services and now have a Transport-on-Demand stop within around a 5-minute walk (see below).

PUB LIST
Public houses with Transport-on-Demand Bus Stops (within approx 5-min walk):
* = current status of pub uncertain
Always check opening times.

Andover Town Centre is served by stops at the
Bus Station, Railway Station and Memorial Hospital.
(edit: Bridge Street has been added, stops by the Methodist Church).

plus on town edge:

Anton Arms Andover

Andover Tap Andover

Southampton Arms Andover

Station Hotel Andover

Clatford Arms Goodworth Clatford

Royal Oak  Goodworth Clatford

Crook & Shears Upper Clatford

Poplar Farm Inn Little Ann

Eagle Abbotts Ann

George Inn Vernham Dean

George & Dragon * Hurstbourne Tarrant

White Hart Stoke

George Inn St Mary Bourne

Mayfly Fullerton

Abbots Mitre Chilbolton

White Lion * Wherwell

Plough Longparish

Cricketers Longparish

Swan Barton Stacey

Oak Smannell

Old Bell & Crown Hatherden

Lion Clanville

Walnut Tree Appleshaw

Welcome Stranger Kimpton

White Hart Penton Mewsey

White Horse * Thruxton

Hawk Inn Amport

Plough Inn Grateley

White Hart Over Wallop

George Inn Middle Wallop

Peat Spade Longstock

Greyhound Stockbridge

Three Cups Stockbridge

Grosvenor Stockbridge

White Hart Stockbridge

There may be some pubs that we have accidentally missed.

Details of the service are here:

https://www.cfirst.org.uk/community-transport/connect-transport/connecttod/

The Boot - Another Community Pub?

Could The Boot Inn at Shipton Bellinger, north of Andover, on the Hampshire / Wiltshire border be the next local community pub?
A campaign by local villagers has got off to a good start.

The Boot, Shipton Bellinger, (Photo by Chris Talbot)

With the formation of the SNAP (Shipton Needs a Pub) campaign and of Shipton Community Pub Ltd, a community benefit society, progress towards a purchase of The Boot Inn for the village has moved up a gear.

Background
After the pub's closure in August 2022 the owners applied to Test Valley Borough Council for a change of use to residential and additional housing.  The owners also placed the pub on the market. 
TVBC rejected the application, but the owners did not give in.

A subsequent application was made and again rejected by Test Valley Borough Council on various policy grounds including that insufficient evidence had been provided to show use as a pub was unviable.
The planners also considered that the proposals "would impact the sustainability of the village", would be "cramped" and "would not be reflective of the existing character and appearance of the area". There are a number of Listed Buildings nearby including the local parish church. 

The Boot is also registered as an ACV (Asset of Community Value),  recognising its intrinsic value to the village.

Support from villagers
Last September (2024), a well-attended meeting of over 80 villagers introduced the Shipton Community Pub Ltd along with its management committee made up wholly of local residents committed to making the re-opening of The Boot Inn a reality. SNAP set out its aims as:

"Our goal is to raise the funds to purchase and reopen The Boot Inn as a thriving, inclusive community hub where residents and visitors can enjoy good company, quality real ales, and delicious food." 

The local MP, Caroline Nokes, also gave her support calling the pub a "beating heart of a community".

Fundraising underway
There are a number of fund raising events in the pipeline, the next being a special jumble sale on 8th February 2025 and SNAP has sent out a call for volunteers who may be able to offer any services and help.

Let's hope that this small Hampshire village can succeed in retaining its valuable public house.  

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Photo credit:
Shipton Bellinger - The Boot Public House
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Talbot - geograph.org.uk/p/1108422

Contracts Exchanged for Community Pub

The end of 2024 has seen some excellent news with the exchange of contracts for the historic Bell Inn in Odiham as it now moves forward to re-opening as a community owned pub.

The Bell before closure

The Bell Inn, Odiham
The Bell Inn, licenced since 1509 is one of Hampshire's oldest pubs where brewing has reportedly taken place as far back as the Domesday Book. Tucked away in the historic area known as The Bury, opposite the church and the stocks, The Bell is an integral part of this tranquil corner of Odiham. 

An unfair system that closes pubs
As a traditional pub it was primarily a drinks 'wet-led' house and was owned by the national PubCo Admiral Taverns. It was tied for products to Admiral which meant little opportunity for tenants to build the business further, a harsh reality of what many feel is an unfair trading system that needs serious legal changes. This can often lead to a pub being made unviable, sometimes deliberately, in order to obtain a change of use, usually to residential.

Applications were rejected
During covid the pub closed when the publicans retired and, as sure as night follows day, it was subsequently sold to developers who claimed the pub was unviable and had plans for converting it into houses.
In late 2022 after local pressure, the developer's planning application to Hart District Council was refused and a subsequent Appeal to the Planning Inspector was also rejected.  

Local support for retaining the pub
As well as support from the planners the registration of The Bell as an ACV (Asset of Community Value) was a factor in the recognition of the premises as an important local amenity. 

With the social and economic benefits a public house provides to a community, CAMRA's local Pub Protection Officer, John Buckley, calls on all Parish and Town Councils to ensure their pubs are both registered as ACVs and also recognised in Local and Neighbourhood Plans. "Having ACVs and adopted planning policies in place are important tools in an armoury to fight change of use applications. many more pubs need to be registered but it needs local people and their councillors to be proactive in putting them in place. The Campaign for Real Ale can provide advice."

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Meanwhile a group of residents formed a team with the aim of purchasing the pub. Finance was obtained through a successful application to the government's Community Ownership Fund and a Share Offer was launched for local people.

On the last day of 2024 the team announced the fantastic news:

"We have exchanged contracts to purchase the Bell.
We will complete and collect the keys on Friday."

Brillant news
Now the hard work towards refurbishing and reopening starts in earnest.

•

The Bell image by Basher Eyre
license under Creative Commons

Community funding under question

In an end of year announcement that has concerned many, the government has closed its Community Ownership Fund which had been made available to allow local people and groups to take on and save community facilities. The closure is despite there still being unallocated funds.
The funding was also available to town and parish councils.

The reason given – or excuse – is pressure on government finances caused by the previous government.

Support for community amenities removed

The scheme, which was to run until the end of 2025, was created to help local groups take on assets such as community halls, leisure facilities, shops, sports grounds, swimming pools, museums, arts centres and local pubs. 

Since its 2021 commencement, 409 projects have received over £140million.

This could have a devastating effect on those working hard to save our country's public houses as well as on groups wishing to take on other community facilities. 

Current efforts

Efforts are now underway by organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale to ensure that assistance remains in other tangible ways. 

This includes discussions with officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government over the current review of other support schemes. These include Assets of Community Value and the hoped for introduction of the Right to Buy to replace the current Right to Bid.

Shocking losses

The scale of long-term pub closures is shocking and the support for the struggling hospitality industry is abysmal. Communities are losing their centres of social interaction, economic benefits and local heritage on a daily basis. 
Here, Happy Pint urges all to lobby their Councils and MPs to support one of the most important cornerstones of our society – the British Pub.

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The Government statement (23rd December 2024)

The Community Ownership Fund is now closed. There will be no further application windows on the COF programme. We have taken this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government.

Whilst we are closing the Community Ownership Fund, this government remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment.

The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership. And we will seek to support high streets by strengthening Business Improvement Districts which have helped to improve town and city centres across the United Kingdom for 20 years, while ensuring they operate to high standards and are accountable to their communities. 

Details:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-ownership-fund-prospectus/community-ownership-fund-round-4-prospectus

 

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The Red House – A Conspiracy Theory – or is it?

What is the longer game? 

The latest planning application raises some concerning suspicions over the building's future. A 'new' application has been submitted for the Red House in Whitchurch, a Grade II Listed Building whose closure has been the subject of much controversy. 

Red House garden in its heyday.
Now built upon with three houses.

The once successful and lively pub had been allowed to deteriorate by the owners and has been closed since 2018. After promising to reinvest proceeds into the pub from building houses on the car park the owners gained further permission to convert the pub to residential. Many believe they had been hoodwinked. 

That was mistake number one, accepting the owner's word!

Broken promises
The houses were built and a further application to change the pub to residential was submitted which was granted, but only after a lengthy Appeal.

 
But, despite a time-limit on the application set by the Appeal Inspector still no work has taken place. The building has been deteriorating further with broken windows, rotten window frames, damp, falling rendering and rodent invasion.

A TWIST – WHY ANOTHER APPLICATION?
Now in a 'twist' the owner has submitted another application which is a virtual replica of the first.
The main difference is that they are now claiming to have leased part of the pub out since March 2024 to a tenant for residential use.

This claimed residential letting could mean they would not be liable for any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a sum a developer pays which goes towards support for the local area. Yet the only tenants of the near derelict building anyone has seen have been rats, lots of them; so many that complaints were made to the Environmental Health Department.

But is this a red herring as the CIL would be a relatively small amount?

This raises those further suspicions.

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?

Come back to the Conspiracy Theory.

IS DEMOLITION NEXT?

Consider this:

• The Appeal Inspector, in allowing the Change of Use, imposed a Planning Condition that works shall begin not later than 3 years from the decision date. 
• That was over 15 months ago on 4th September 2023 and time is moving on. Meanwhile the historic building deteriorates even more.
• Anything that causes delays such as investigation into the claimed tenancy means further dilapidation and a case for demolition becomes stronger.
• THE QUESTION: Is the plan to manipulate delays that lead to further deterioration leaving the only option to demolish and thus reduce building costs rather than having to invest in keeping and renovating the historic structure and features of the Listed Building?
  
• So do the owners want objectors to challenge the CIL/habitation claim in order to deliberately create those delays?

And coming back to how the community was mislead over investment in the pub can there be any trust? Any at all?

A FRUSTRATING FARCE

What is certain is that the whole sorry caboodle is becoming a frustrating farce and it seems the councillors and planners don't have enough teeth to ensure the applicant/owner doesn't run rings around them. 

Meanwhile the pub users and local residents have lost a valuable amenity. 

It is not their fault, but that of a very weak planning system that places developers wishes above those of local people, a failure is being worsened by the actions of a developer who has lost any local trust.

The 'latest' Planning application documents (ref: 24/02820/FUL) can be viewed here:

https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SNVNDVCRG8N00&activeTab=summary

"Time to save our Pub" – Half Moon & Spread Eagle

In June 2023 we reported that an entry on 'Micheldever Village' social media stated:

"I am thrilled to be able to announce that the Half Moon and Spread Eagle is back in business! It will re-open in early July".

UPDATE: So what has now happened?
It is now 16 months on and there are changes underway.
 
A call has been put out "Time to save our pub?"

In 2019 Nick Warr and Phil Penton purchased the Half Moon & Spread Eagle on behalf of the community but have endured several tough challenges to keep it operating. A survey and leaflet is now being circulated that states "Now five years later, they can no longer support the pub".

Two main options are being considered, either new investors buy the pub or the community takes ownership and runs it.

A questionnaire has been launched to assess if there is enough interest for a community purchase and if a 'Community Enterprise' should be formed. If so this would lead to the creation of a community owned company with shareholders who would have the pub managed by an elected board.
As well as ascertaining support for their being shareholders, the questionnaire also aims to seek out people who could provide services such as accountancy, PR, gardening or other volunteering activities.

The questionnaire is to be returned by the 31st October, after which there is to be a community meeting at 6.00pm on Friday 15th November in Northbrook Hall.

Let us all wish the Micheldever community well and that there is enough tangible and active support to keep this pub as an important asset to the village and wider area.

The online questionnaire is here:

https://form.jotform.com/242773127754361

The leaflet being circulated:

Microbrewery and bar approved for Overton

The plans for a new bar and microbrewery in Overton have taken a step forward as Basingstoke & Deane Development Control Committee approved the planning application this week (Wed.9th October).

Permission has now been granted for the creation a new bar, micro-brewery and kitchen at No.7 High Street, a former hair and beauty salon (Hobbs).

7 High Street, Overton

The premises consists of a two-storey building that is believed to date from the 15th/16th centuries but has undergone significant changes although much of the timber framing remains. It is registered as a Listed Grade II building.

Support was high
Councillors heard from the applicant's architect who focussed on the responses from the main consultees, including HCC Highways, Archaeology, Environmental Health, Historic Environment, Southern Water and Biodiversity. All were registering a No Objection. 

In addition he noted the high number of letters of support from local residents. 77 were in support while only 12 were opposed, with most seeing such an establishment as a welcome addition to the village high Street. Support also came from the local Campaign for Real Ale citing the wider community benefits that such an establishment can provide. 

The Parish Council 
However, Overton Parish Council had objected citing issues such as a possible increase in anti-social behaviour. In a statement that has raised some eyebrows they also stated they "wish to discourage any further opportunities to organise social drinking or beer festivals". 

The present inside

Noting that the village already has a number of pubs the Parish Council also expressed concern that:
"Creating yet another venue must run the risk of encouraging more alcohol consumption – which is not warranted in such a small village."

Concerns dealt with by owners
A few other residents expressed worries over parking and transport, potential noise and odours, all of which had been dealt with by the planners and the business owners.
During the meeting it was stressed how helpful the owners had been on considering local concerns in making adjustments to the plans, one main change being the removal of the rear outside seating area.
Planners have imposed a number of 'Conditions' which the owners must now comply with before work can commence.

Plans for the main building
The ground floor of the main building will contain comfortable seating including sofas and stools, along with the bar with 2 – 5 steel serving tanks, 5 – 7 taps, an area for preparing cocktails and space for fridge, dishwasher and sink. Upstairs is an area that can be "booked for private dining/ more intimate setting with mixture of sofas, bar stools..."

Two unisex WCs will also be upstairs and the brief included a request to the architect "To include area for makeup/hair etc." To the rear there is a long narrow stretch of land where, at the end, the micro-brewery and kitchen will be situated.

This will be a great addition to the village and we all look forward to the opening and a visit.

Pubtober – supporting pubs and charities in October

Pubtober is an antidote to some of the misguided anti-alcohol promotions that can harm our country's pub and beer culture and those who rely on it for their livelihoods.

At a time when the hospitality industry is still suffering the after-effects of the covid pandemic these charity 'challenges' are akin to sticking the boot in.

Should we harm those who support our communities?
Our pubs, are not just places for an enjoyable drink or meal but also provide far wider benefits ranging from combatting loneliness and isolation to supporting thousands of livelihoods ranging from taxi drivers to window cleaners and from food suppliers to sports teams, as well as those working in and relying on the breweries that supply them.

A current headlining promotion calls on people to abstain from alcohol for October and raise funds by doing so. This is already in addition to Alcohol Change UK's similar promotion of Dry January that calls for the same.

Oh, the irony
Ironically these promotions that call for participants to forego an alcoholic drink for a month or more are often run by the very same charities that pubs and breweries support by fundraising events such as coffee mornings or charity quizzes.

So PUBTOBER was born:

So what could you do?

Support a charity, while still supporting pubs and breweries
Pubtober supports charities wholeheartedly.
This 'antidote' asks people to visit their local, enjoy a drink whether its alcoholic or not, and put some monies into the charity boxes. Maybe set a personal challenge to visit a number of different pubs?
Pubtober suggests donating to a cancer-related charity such as Macmillan Cancer Support.

That is a win-win all around, supporting both the livelihoods of the trade and raising funds for the good causes. 

Pubtober, created by Happy Pint