Suffolk pubs hope for World Cup boost amid cost-of-living squeeze

Pubs across the county were packed as people gathered to watch the Three Lions thrash Iran in their first match early on Monday afternoon. 

Normally, World Cups mean bustling beer gardens and big screens outside as the games are played in summer.

But despite this year's edition taking place in November and it being too chilly to be outside, most pub bosses say they still expect their takings to be good.

“At the moment, we have no more available chairs or tables, so this is better than a normal Monday,” Paul Bird, general manager of The Plough in Ipswich, said a few minutes ahead of the England game. 

However, he was not sure if business would be significantly busier than usual for England’s next match against the USA on Friday. 

“That will just be a normal Friday night,” he explained. 

“Next Tuesday with the Wales game [against England] we’d expect an uplift.”

Paul Burrows from the Grosvenor in Felixstowe said that he had seen footfall increase. (Image: Google Maps) 

Paul Burrows, assistant manager of The Grosvenor in Felixstowe, said the pub had seen “a good increase in footfall” since the World Cup began on Sunday. 

Jay King, manager of the Royal Oak in Stowmarket, said that he too had seen the volume of customers increase and that he hoped the World Cup taking place so near to Christmas would not deter too many people. 

“With the lead-up to Christmas, people are trying to save money,” he said. 

“Having the world cup this close to Christmas is going to be different, but hopefully we will get people through our doors. 

“We’ve got a nice little crowd in now, and the game hasn’t started yet, so it all looks promising.” 

Jay King, manager at the Royal Oak, said that crowd had gathered to watch the England game. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

Emma Wade, purchasing manager at The Gainsborough, said she did not think that business would increase significantly. (Image: Google Maps)

Emma Wade is a manager for Metro Inns Suffolk Ltd, which operates the Gainsborough in Sudbury. 

She said as yet, it was too early to judge if the games had impacted business, but that she wouldn’t expect it to grow significantly. 

“With it being so close to Christmas and with the cost-of-living crisis, I think people are watching their money a bit more,” she said. 

“I think fewer people will probably come out to watch it, and more people will stay at home.” 

England VS United States will kick off on Friday, November 25, at 7pm.