Trade books up as pub starts novel new service
One Walsall watering hole is hoping trade will book up by doubling up as a lending library for punters.
One Walsall watering hole is hoping trade will book up by doubling up as a lending library for punters.
Visitors to The Wheatsheaf, in Birmingham Road, can enjoy a good book with their pint, as the pub enjoys a dual purpose- doubling up as a lending library.
Piles of books are dotted round the traditional boozer, built in the early 1800s, which customers can read as they indulge in a tipple or even sign out and take home with them.
Joint licensee Jean James, aged 43, who runs the pub with Carrie Cooke, 36, said it was just one of the new ideas which have helped transform the fortunes of the pub, once a notorious student hang-out.
"We're working hard to try and make this a real community pub," said Mrs James, who embarked on the pub venture after being made redundant from her job at the HP factory in Birmingham. "The book lending library has been a good success. People can come in for a quiet pint and slope around a corner for a quiet read. It's just a little bit different to newspapers."
But the pub is also trying to draw in those who want to be a little bit more active.
On quiet evenings, the pair plug in the Nintendo Wii to get customers up and moving, with boxing and bowling games.
Keen runners can get their trainers on and join the pub's own running club The Wheatsheaf Runners.
The dog-loving licensees are also welcoming people's pooches into the pub, to keep their own dogs, Toby and Milly, company.
"We really want to get the pub back being a real hub of the community, back to the old-fashioned image of a pub, with animals and children running around," added Miss Cooke.
Changes seem to be having the desired effect, with The Wheatsheaf winning a Trust Inns award for showing initiative, while it was also voted Pub of the Year 2008 by the Walsall branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
Chairman of Walsall Camra Gary Timmins, who will present Mrs James and Miss Cooke with their award on Friday evening, said it was not just the wide range of real ale that had impressed.
"They allow children in and its very pet -friendly.
"It's not got loud music blaring out and it's become a real family pub where everyone seems to be welcome," he said.