Wimbledon’s pubs have been forced to take on extra staff as thirsty tennis and football fans combined to make this week the busiest yet for the tournament. Several pub managers in the district admitted to the Daily Star that it is going to be a challenging week, despite welcoming the extra footfall.
Record Bar Takings on First Day
With the Round of 32 in the World Cup colliding with the opening days of the tennis competition, there was a festival atmosphere in Wimbledon Village. Mick Dore, manager of The Alexandra pub, said: “The weather certainly helped – as did the footie – but we were rammed last night. We’ve had to take on new staff – obviously we were prepared from years before but this was huge. It’s busy but it’s the best time of the year. Last night was the busiest first day of Wimbledon we’ve ever had, in terms of bar takings and stock. Pretty decent start if you ask me.”
When a Daily Star reporter visited on the way to the train station from the tennis, there was a ring of punters around the bar with lively music blaring in the courtyard. Dore added: “You want to get down here on the weekend. It starts really picking up on Thursday and by Saturday… it’s like a mini Glastonbury on this strip.”
All Bar One Also Hires Extra Staff
Just over the road at All Bar One, general manager Gabriel Lita was revelling in the challenge ahead. He said he had also brought in new staff to help contend with the surge of tennis fans, with Wimbledon’s population nearly doubling for the course of the tournament. Lita said: “It’s a tough couple of weeks, but it’s so rewarding. We’ll get help from our sister bars around the UK and we need to make sure we have new stock in.” When asked if he will be watching any tennis himself, he replied: “Maybe – if I get any time.” He added: “I love this time – all the tennis fans are very well behaved and we usually get folks from all four corners of the world.”
Fans Slam Wimbledon Drink Prices
This news comes after reports that tennis fans have slammed Wimbledon bosses as the price of a pint creeps towards the £10 mark. A pint of Stella Artois at the tournament costs £8.85, while a special limited-edition strawberries and cream Stella is £9.30. Pimm’s now costs £13.45, up £1.20 since last year. Punters wanting to pair it with strawberries and cream, which costs £2.85, will have to pay £16.30.
