MyStar News August 2026

MEERKATS INCREASE PUB'S VISIBILITY

An approach from a private collector needing to house his meerkats, led Chris Collier to include a Meerkat Retreat & Rescue Centre in his business plan when applying for The Royal Oak, Brockham.  It gave him a unique selling point and reason for people to visit.  Star Pubs gave the project its blessing and Chris spent a year getting a zoo license, which required building an enclosure and obtaining planning permission for it.

Says Chris: “We are a typical village pub offering food and hosting weekly events.  However, we need to drive footfall from further afield to survive.  The meerkats do that. They’ve attracted hundreds of people. We’ve only just started the marketing and the BBC page.  Go Fund Me has already featured us.  The village got behind the project, offering services for free.  Someone built the website, an architect did the plans and planning application, and another villager set up a 

 “Visitors can enjoy a coffee in a covered glass extension while watching the meerkats.  We also hold Saturday morning breakfasts for £10.95 a head followed by a meerkat experience.  We didn’t intend breeding meerkats, but suddenly we had seven babies and two adults. We neutered the females so it wouldn't happen again.  The newborns underwent a four-week handling programme and as a result love interacting with customers. 

“Meerkats aren’t expensive to keep; however, it will be a while before we see a return on our £10,000 investment.  You have to factor in legislation, a zoo license as well as build suitable housing, all of which take time.”

AFTERNOON WITH FRIENDS

Conversations with customers living on their own led Tom Parol of The Lord Reresby in Rotherham to introduce a Tuesday 12-3 p.m. Afternoon With Friends event.  It proved so popular it is now held weekly attracting 60 attendees, usually from the bungalow community across the road, a local nursing home and group of elderly women.

 A £10 ticket buys a two course ‘light lunch’ from the standard menu, such as scampi or a jacket potato, a game of bingo and live entertainment.  The profit comes from drinks sales which are typically £600 more than on a regular Tuesday, a quiet weekday.  A hamper raffle is also held raising £70-100 per week for the loneliness charity, Marmalade Trust, Star Pubs’ official charity.

 Says Tom: “I contacted the care home to see if residents would be interested in attending and we promote the events on social media and by staff telling customers about the lunches.  Our strapline is Whether friends before or not, you’re guaranteed to be friends after.  It has proved to be the case.  We put customers arriving on their own together on tables of four.  They now come in at other times with their new friends, or feel comfortable coming in on their own and chatting to staff.  It’s not just about generating profit on the day.”

KID FOCUS PROVES POPULAR WITH ALL AGES

Prior to Luke and Alex taking on The Fox Pub & Kitchen in Urmston, the pub appealed to an older demographic.  The introduction of child focused activities and a child friendly atmosphere have since put the pub on the map with families, broadened its customer base and created a welcoming multi-generational feel.  Luke, who is a father and an assistant therapist in schools, is keen for children to stay off their screens when in the pub.   It’s a view that’s gone down well with families.

He explains: “We want to engage children as well as adults.  One thing we do is position tiny little Fox ornaments around the pub on picture frames, mirrors and dado rails and encourage children to see how many they can find. We’re happy for them to wander around and the older regulars without kids feel the same.  It makes them smile, gets people talking to one another and occupies the children.  We also hold a mid-week family quiz once a month for six-to-82-year-olds after school.  All generations love it.  It sells out with 45 attending.  I am the quiz master as it allows me to see what works and what can be improved.  I am inspired by Walt Disney.   He was present a lot of the time and would go on his rides to ensure a great customer experience.” 

KIDS PARTIES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INCOME STREAM 

Rhidian and Alex Turner, licensees of The Stuffed Walrus, Forest Hill, have added an extra income stream by offering kids’ party packages in the pub on Saturday and Sunday mornings. There’s a minimum charge of £250 for two hours, which includes £12 a head for pizza, chips, hummus and vegetables.  

Says Alex: “We have a dedicated playroom, a kids’ menu, bubble machine and music and can offer entertainment such as a dance, art or music themed classes for an extra fee as we hold these events at other times. Our kitchen is open anyway prepping for lunch so there’s no extra staff costs for the food. You can gauge demand by plugging into local mums’ or community groups on social media and check out what other places are charging.  Around us there’s a lot of chatter online about parents not being able to find party venue. The alternative here is a cold church hall, which is expensive and has no kitchen. To limit the mess, we usually contain parties in the playroom and garden – as kids like to run around outside whatever the weather - and use pizza platter trays and paper plates. However, the furniture can be moved around easily, enabling the whole pub to be taken over if needed.”