LETTER: Pubs wrong to charge entry fee

What a rip off! All but two pubs were charging to get in on New Year’s Eve – they were Wetherspoon’s and The Black Swan.

The Punchbowl charged £2 where we ended up and it was clear to see numbers were well down, the rest charged between £10 and £15 to get in. It was like a ghost town, not many people were milling around, I guess unlike me and my friends they must have known and stayed away and I don’t blame them. I think we will next year as well.

The idea of charging entry to a venue is if you are giving something in return, not just entering through the doors to find it just the same as you would any other day of the week when it’s free.

Landlords please listen: many folk especially, the young with money to burn, like to go from pub to pub as we used to when we were young, you will all make good money over the evening and those that offer the best music choice with an extended opening licence will end up with the majority.

I am very surprised at Pete for charging entry. Although only £2 it will still keep people away. He has never done so in the past and is the most popular pub in town but it appears he did not do himself any favours.

New Year’s Eve should be the busiest most rewarding night of the year for landlords, but it seems they are hell bent on destroying it for themselves and everyone else.

Maybe The Voice should hold a vote for the people of Spalding as to whether it is right or wrong for landlords to charge entry on New Year’s Eve as this is only my opinion on what I think is wrong.

Mr N Bingham
Spalding