How I survived the ‘death of the high street’ with two key strategies

A PUB landlord has revealed her strategy to beat the ‘death of the high street’ and ensure her drink is still strong.

Lisa Burton, 56, who runs The Red Lion in Badlesmere, near Faversham, Kent, says business has never been better, despite the problems high streets across the country are facing as they struggle with the cost of living.

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She puts her success down to two things: “hard work, a fun atmosphere” – not to mention being the only pub in Kent to offer a completely gluten-free menu.

Lisa, who has lived in the province for 20 years, said KentOnline: “When we first came here the pub was only making just over £1,500 a week.

“Now our business costs about £10,000 a week.

“It has taken a lot of hard work, but I absolutely love my job, even in these difficult times.”

While business may be booming at The Red Lion, other pubs across the province have confirmed they will be open for service for the final time in the opening months of this year.

Obviously we’ve had some quiet times over the years, but we’ve always remained open and I think our customers appreciate that

Landlady Lisa Burton

Pubs announcing permanent closures include: The Earl St Vincent in Ramsgate, The Aviator in Queenborough, The George Inn in Newnham, near Faversham, and The Hare and Hounds in Northbourne, Deal.

But Lisa says it’s not all doom and gloom.

She said: “Obviously we have had quiet times over the years but we have always remained open and I think our customers appreciate that.

“I owe a large part of our success to our completely gluten-free menu. We are the only pub in Kent like this.

She added that it was this strategy and maintaining a “good bar presence” that made the pub stand out.

Although Lisa admitted the pub had been hit by the ongoing cost of living crisis, she said she had coped well.

She gets advice from her business coach, who she meets every week, and says she stays motivated and on track.

‘OLD SCHOOL CAFE’

Lisa said that while the Lion is not a late-night pub, it is ‘old school’ with a ‘constant steady trade’.

She added: “I am so grateful to have the best group of staff with me and they are helping to make this pub as successful as it is today.”

Lisa said her busy lifestyle keeps her from quitting, but she still absolutely loves it.

She added: “I want people to see that not all of our pubs are struggling and I urge people to get out and support their locals as best they can.”

The news comes at a difficult time for pubs and businesses as they feel the pressure of difficult trading conditions.

TIME IS UP

Last month The Sun revealed that more than 7,000 pubs are expected to go bankrupt in the coming year.

Rising costs and fewer punters have led to four in five pubs seeing their profits take a nosedive.

This puts pressure on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to cut alcohol duty in next month’s budget.

Wetherspoons has already closed more than 40 pubs and punters risk losing another 19.

In September last year, the chain – which has 827 pubs across Great Britain – announced it was putting dozens of pubs up for sale.

In 2023, The Sun revealed that more than 500 British pubs closed their doors for the last time.

Crippling taxes and inflation pushed the total number of closures since 2017 to 2,043.

Last year alone, 6,000 people were thrown out of work because alcohol addicts had to take time off work.

Pubs aren’t the only places struggling to make ends meet in the current climate.

HIGH STREET SITUATION

Many high street retailers are closing some branches for good and sadly some are disappearing from our high streets forever.

The Body Shop recently announced that it would close seven branches with immediate effect.

This comes as the iconic beauty retailer filed for bankruptcy and revealed it would close almost half of its 198 stores.

Struggling fashion brand Superdry has also said it is exploring various “cost-cutting options” after reporting it is considering a major restructuring including store closures and job cuts.

Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.

Even charity shops such as Oxfam are struggling, having confirmed last year that it would close eight of its UK stores.

However, some stores are opening in new locations.

Primark said it will open five new stores, with one coming within weeks.

Frasers Group has announced it will take over the former John Lewis site in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough, to open another new concept store.

B&M will open six new locations in early 2024, including in the former Wilko stores that it took over.