One pub that will be open for drinkers over the new year

Company news

Dec 31, 2020

There is still one pub unaffected by current tier restrictions – and it’s in a Bromsgrove care home.

The Chandler Arms has opened its doors in Care UK’s Chandler Court care home, on Recreation Road, and pulled its first pints for residents just before Christmas.

Current restrictions mean residents aren’t able to leave the home, so when they started missing their local, team members at Chandler Court got busy turning one of the home’s room into a special venue to bring the pub to them.

The home now hosts regular ‘pub nights’, where team members turn into bartenders and put music or sport games on a big screen to recreate the real atmosphere of a pub.

Martin Dowell, a resident at Chandler Court, said: “Back in the day, the pub was the life and soul of the community and a place to meet up, so it is great to get the chance to meet up with other residents in the home on a Friday afternoon for a pint and a chat.”

Dawn Covill, Home Manager at Chandler Court, said: “We all miss going to the pub, and in these challenging times, there’s nothing like catching up with an old friend over a drink or two, so when residents told us they missed their local, we thought we’d bring it to them.

“For many residents, the pub is associated with a lot of positive memories from their younger years, from their first-ever drink to countless hearty meals with family or friends, and everything in between. The Chandler Arms’ opening was a huge success and residents left with a smile on their face. 

“Ironically, it turns out we’re probably the only pub in the area to be unaffected by the tier restrictions, so we’re looking forward to our next pub night!”

Many of Care UK’s homes have similar pubs for residents to enjoy their favourite tipple and another home, Abney Court, created a gin cocktail bar before Christmas to reflect the different tastes of residents in the home.