Month / March 2022

by Hannah Benham

More than 500 pubs register for World’s Biggest Pub Quiz

More than 500 pubs have signed up to the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz, running from 9-15 May, with organisers PubAid confident this year’s event will hit an all-time high in pub participation and money raised for charities including Shelter, this year’s quiz partner. Find a local near you that’s taking part on our dedicated publist here.

A growing number of pub companies are supporting the quiz and encouraging their licensees to participate, Admiral Taverns, Ember Inns, Everards, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Greene King, Hall & Woodhouse, Marston’s, Punch Pubs, Robinsons, Shepherd Neame, St Austell Brewery, Star Pubs & Bars, Stonegate, Trust Inns and Wells & Co. Individual pubs are also signing up in significant numbers.

Pubs can register or find out more on the dedicated Quiz website: https://worldsbiggestquiz.pubaid.com/

For the first time, PubAid is working with online quiz platform Kwizzbit, which allows licensees to host a traditional, fun pub quiz on their smartphone, with technology making it easier to run and offering features that make it more engaging for customers and drive greater footfall into the pub.

PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “We’re delighted with the response to the Quiz, and with two months til launch, we’re confident of many more hundreds of pubs signing up.

“After the pandemic forced us to take a break from the quiz last year, there’s definitely renewed enthusiasm among licensees for events that bring people back into the pub. The quiz is completely free for pubs to run, offers customers a fun evening and raises huge sums for many charities, including Shelter. We are looking forward to the most successful ever quiz in May!”

Homeless charity Shelter was chosen as the quiz’s new partner following the Covid lockdown. Currently, 91 families become homeless every day in England.  Money raised in the Quiz will help Shelter give information, advice and support to those facing homelessness. Pubs are encouraged to host the quiz in aid of Shelter, but have the freedom to support another charity, or divide funds raised between Shelter and a cause closer to home.

All pubs signing up to host a quiz will receive a free fundraising pack including posters and social media assets, to help them host a quiz that brings customers into their pub for a fun-filled evening that raises money for a worthy cause.

Chris Jowsey, CEO at Admiral Taverns, said: “We’re encouraging all our licensees to get involved in the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz, which is a fantastic opportunity to hold an event that brings the community together and raises money for charity.

“We’re pleased that the quiz is flexible, allowing licensees to run it at a time to suit them. It is also a good chance to support both local charities of their choice and the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz’s charity Shelter, whose support for those facing homelessness has never been more important. We look forward to quizzes taking place in Admiral Taverns pubs across the country in May.”

Kevin Georgel, CEO at St Austell Brewery, said: “Everyone loves a pub quiz and it’s great to be hosting this one back in the pub rather than on Zoom! At a time when so many people are struggling with housing, there’s more demand than ever for the services provided by Shelter; they are a worthy charity partner for the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz this year and we’re confident our licensees and customers will want to support them.”

Samantha Rhodes, Operations Director at Ember Inns, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz this May. Pub quizzes are part of our DNA at Ember Inns and we know our teams and guests are looking forward to getting involved, having fun and raising much-needed funds to help tackle homelessness through the great work Shelter do across the UK.”

Max Newton, Head of Community Fundraising at Shelter, said: “We’re really encouraged by this response to the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz and confident that the momentum is building and we’ll see record levels of pubs participate in May. It’s great to see that a majority of pubs are choosing to support Shelter: every pound raised will help us to be there for anyone facing homelessness.”

The World’s Biggest Pub Quiz was launched in 2016 and has raised a total of £750,000 for hundreds of charities.

by Hannah Benham

Celebrating World Book Day, one pub at a time

March 3rd 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day in the UK, but why should schools have all the fun? Book-lovers rejoice, as we discover some impressive places to visit and raise a glass in.

On our main site, we have created a publist of the old stomping grounds of some of the world’s most famous authors, playwriters and poets, their favourites often mentioned in their work: www.useyourlocal.com/publist/literary-pubs-frequented-by-the-greats-1777.

Going as far back as Shakespeare, his regular London haunts and his last visited in Welford on Avon, where it is believed he contracted fatal pneumonia after stumbling home in the pouring rain!

We have listed those that were frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter, George Orwell & C.S. Lewis to name a few. The Grapes, along with its deep history and famous patrons, can even count Sir Ian McKellen as one of its owners, well-known for bringing J.R.R.Tolkien’s Gandalf to life.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of classic characters, delve into a collection of adventurous bars inspired by Phileas Fogg. From his Mayfair residence to Aunt Gertrude’s Tavern & Gin Parlour, you can transport yourself back to the Victorian era, surrounded by artefacts and antiquities from Mr Fogg’s travels. The Society of Exploration is located only a stone’s throw away from Charing Cross station – the starting point of his famous voyage around the world! 

However, the loyal local can also be an oasis in the everyday hustle and bustle, the perfect snug area to cosy up in and get lost in the pages. Already featured Coppa Club, are great for exactly this, a “home from home”, local hang-out, designed for eating, drinking, meeting and unwinding. So, let’s discover some more!

  • The Sun, set-up its own community library within the pub after the village’s own closed, providing an essential resource and haven to locals in the area.
  • To the reverse effect, hidden amongst the bookcases of Piccadilly’s Maison Assouline, Swans Bar is described as a bastion of elegance and culture.
  • For book influenced décor, The Fable near Holborn Viaduct in central London, is anything but ordinary, inspired by the fantasy world of fairy tales and Aesop’s fables. 

Whether you want to absorb a part of history, immerse yourself within their creations or just hunker down with your prized paperback, we have a pub just for you. Sign up today and follow your favourites: www.useyourlocal.com/join.