I run Britain’s cheapest pub but I’ve BANNED football – you won’t be able to sip a £2.40 pint during Euros at my boozer
ONE of Britain’s cheapest pubs WON’T be showing the Euros this summer despite football fever hitting the country.
Sinclair’s Oyster Bar in Manchester is well known for its old-world interior and its fascinating history.
The boozer is also renowned for its low prices with a pint of mild or dark lager being a snip at just £2.40.
Customers love its low prices and olde-world character, but keeping overheads down in order to maintain low prices means they can’t watch the footie action.
As part of the Samuel Smith’s chain, it also aims to recreate the simpler times of the past.
It means screens and mobile phones banned inside, to encourage punters to chat while sipping on their bargain beer.
England got off to a winning start at the weekend securing a 1-0 win over Serbia and will be looking to secure their place in the Euro 2024 knockout phase this evening when they take on Denmark in Frankfurt.
A first place position will see the Three Lions handed an easier route to the quarter-finals with a last-16 tie against a third-place finisher.
But Denmark will be sure to come out fighting as failure to beat the Three Lions tonight could leave them on the back foot in third place.
With the likes of Manchester United stars Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen to contend with, the match could prove tricky.
However, regulars say they don’t care about missing it or watching elsewhere if they can enjoy such a great pub for so little.
And many say they are glad the Euros aren’t blaring out – preferring to sip their cheap pints in peace.
Barry Tottey, 64, from Holmes Chapel said: “I’m not bothered that they aren’t showing it.
“If I wanted to go and watch it I could go to a sports bar.”
But he questioned whether the rules of Samuel Smith – who does not allow any screens, phones or technology in his pubs – were out of date.
Barry also added: “He (Samuel Smith) needs to open more of the lovely pubs that are closed.”
Friend Darren Keates, 60, said: “People know it’s a Samuel Smith pub and you can’t go in there and use the phone. They have to not show it to keep the costs down.”
Lisa Sauicz, 49, was enjoying an al fresco drink at the pub before heading to Coop Live to see The Killers with her son Callum Jepson, 29.
She said: “If the Euros is on I feel there should be somewhere for people to view it but there are plenty of bars that do show it. But we are off to see The Killers so we don’t care!”
Kathleen Harrison, 76, said: “We come here once every few weeks when the sun is shining. We have just had three halves of lager for £5.”
Sister Anne Hughes, 78, says: “We can sit outside when it’s sunny and there are plenty of people so we can watch the world go by. It’s very cheap and it’s a lovely old pub.”
Musician Nick Miller, 60, says: “I am glad they don’t show the Euros here, it’s nice to be away from it.
“If I wanted to watch it I could go next door, it’s nice to come here and relax – it’s a welcome reprieve.”
Friend Andy Miller, 70, says: “I have been coming here for 30 years and I like coming for the stout. The prices are very reasonable.
“I’m not into football so it’s perfect they don’t play it, I don’t want to hear it – it’s so loud, I want some peace and relaxation.”
The Grade II listed building was moved and meticulously rebuilt brick by brick following damage during the Christmas blitz in 1941 and a later close call with an IRA bomb in 1996.
Today, the 1720s picturesque inn is still standing proudly in its most recent spot – bang in the heart of the city centre.
Michael Meaden, 40, a taxi driver said: “The location is great, sitting outside, it’s a cracking day and the beers are very cheap.”
Soaring pint prices
THE sobering prospect of paying £25 a pint by 2040 is on the horizon, a study warns.
The average cost of a lager has already gone up 11 per cent this year to £4.69.
If that rate is maintained annually, then in 16 years it will cost a wallet-busting £25.70.
Drinkers have already faced a 28 per cent rise over the past five years from when a pint was £3.67.
The latest research, by FruitySlots.com and based on Office for National Statistics data, adds to pressure on boozers as beer becomes increasingly unaffordable.
Pub closures are already up 51 per cent to 80 a month in the first three months of this year.
Police Officer Richard Meaden, 40 agreed the city isn’t without its venues for showing the matches and said Sinclairs doesn’t need to show them.
He said: “If I want to watch it, there are plenty of places. I think if they showed it here, you wouldn’t be able to get in. I don’t think they need to.
“I think the pub appeals more to people who are out and about and just want to drink.”
Day tripper Liz Kenny, 74, said: “I like coming in here, it’s cheap beer – it’s the cheapest place in Manchester. We just had two pints for £5.”
Alan Phoenix, 72, said: “I am not bothered about football, it makes the bars too packed – it’s nice and quiet.
“We came from Wigan on the train, we like it round here, it’s great for a drink and we love this pub.”
