DRINKERS in Britain’s “cheapest pub” say a £2.50 pint may be a massive draw – but it’s not the only thing keeping them merry.
The Duke of Northumberland, in Newcastle city centre, has been quenching Geordies’ thirst since the 1800s.
Bar manager Samantha says any other bar in Newcastle’s city centre will charge double the price of her FostersNNP
Fred Ellis, 81, a former machinist, said the Clock’s loyalty scheme is a massive drawNNP
Nicknamed The Clock, pints of Fosters flow out the taps for £2.50 and there’s even karaoke nights five times a week.
The bar’s supervisor Samantha Richardson said: “I think we’re probably one of the cheapest in the country, and definitely in Newcastle.
“It’s only £2.50 a pint in the mornings and then from 3pm it costs £3. If you go somewhere nearby it could cost double that.”
Other bargains in the boozer are prosecco at around £7, a medium wine for £3.90 or £15.50 for a bottle.
But it is the loyalty scheme at The Clock that tips it for tipple lovers, and can make the £2.50 pints even cheaper.
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Pub regular Terry Allin, 31, a painter and decorator, explained: “You get a card and every pint you buy, you get 5p back on every pound you spend.
“So if I pay £3 a pint in the afternoon I will get 15p back on my card and we can spend that whenever we want.”
Fred Ellis, 81, a former machinist said the scheme is a massive draw.
And he added: “If you come here from the south you’re spending half the price to what they’re used to paying.”
Fred’s drinking partner Michael Waddle says he still looks forward to coming off the oil rig to get his hands on a bargain snifter.
The 54-year-old said: “I’ve been coming in here for years and years.
“You can’t beat pubs like these because you get the craic and people can sit there and have a laugh, especially for the older people who can’t afford the other places.”
Newcastle FC match days are the busiest and with The Toon in the Champions League this year, midweek nights will be packed out in its new interior refit.
Retired barrister Taylor Peter has been a regular in The Clock for around 20 years and said any other bar will charge you a pound more for a pint.
The 64-year-old said: “It’s by far the cheapest. I like coming back because the clientele is good and the beer is great.”
The working class roots of the boozer is also a massive bonus for patrons, and keeps them returning.
Bar manager Samantha explained: “Once customers feel comfortable somewhere they tend to stick there and that’s been the case here over the years.”
Michael Waddle says he still looks forward to coming off oil rig to the Duke to get his hands on a cheap snifterNNP
The pub loyalty scheme gives drinkers 5p back on every pound spent – meaning you get 15p back when you spend £3NNP
Terry Allin and Peter Taylor get in on the drinking action at The Duke of NorthumberlandNNP
I’ll drink to that! The Duke of Northumberland prides itself on its working class roots and cheap boozeNNP Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
