A Beccles landlady is ready to welcome guests but says she is "worried” people might not come out for World Cup games due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Michelle Payne, landlady at the Ingate, said she is prepared to welcome guests for the unprecedented winter World Cup, though she is unsure how many people will be out with Christmas around the corner.
Mrs Payne said: “With the World Cup being broadcast on normal TV, and Christmas on the horizon amid the cost-of-living crisis, we are worried that people might not come out to watch the football.
“It is hard to tell quite how many people are going to be out for so many reasons.
“I am hopeful that people will be coming out to enjoy themselves and to cheer on the nation.”
The Ingate has 11 screens spread across three bars and Mrs Payne says she has “exciting plans” for the tournament’s knockout stage, should England qualify from the group.
She said: “We will have cheerleaders in each bar to entertain punters, and should England score, a bell will sound to signal the reduction of prices of all pints to a fixed £3 for the next 10 minutes of the game.
“We have one outdoor screen under an outdoor heated area should guests spill out of our three indoor bars on offer.
“Indoors we have a total of 11 screens spread across our three bars, and extra staff will be present for all England games to ensure nobody will have to wait for a drink.
“For all England games our street food van will be present to serve delicious food to guests and keep them sober,” Mrs Payne said
The landlady said the pub was well supported during the Euros last summer but is excited to be running welcoming people without restrictions.
Mrs Payne said: “The Euro’s last year was a success, although COVID restrictions were difficult, so it is good that we can have the free movement of people and not confine them to their table when celebrating an England goal.
“It will be nice to have as many people as possible during these uncertain times because watching football socially is always great fun.”
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