Tandem Comedians Embark on Epic Pub-Busting Cycle Ride

Two comedians, Tom Sandham and Ben McFarland, are pedaling over 1,000 miles on a tandem to raise awareness about the crisis facing local pubs. The duo, who perform as the Thinking Drinkers, will cycle from Land's End to John o' Groats, relying on pubs along the way for food, drink, and accommodation. Their mission is to highlight the plight of pubs, which are struggling to stay afloat due to high business rates and declining foot traffic.

Key Takeaways:

• The comedians will cycle over 1,000 miles on a tandem, relying on pubs for food, drink, and accommodation.
• The campaign aims to raise awareness about the crisis facing local pubs, which are struggling to stay afloat due to high business rates and declining foot traffic.
• Since January to March, 303 pubs in England, Scotland, and Wales have been shuttered, with 46 more converted to other uses (Campaign for Real Ale).
• In total, 1,062 pubs have closed, with 210 changing use, often to shops or housing (Campaign for Real Ale).
• Pubs are essential to communities, providing social respite, benefiting mental wellbeing, and being unique, historical national institutions (Tom Sandham).
• The average publican makes just 12p profit on a £5 pint, highlighting the struggles of pubs to make ends meet.
• The British Beer and Pub Association's Long Live The Local initiative campaigns for a reduction in unfair burdens on pubs.

Statistics:

• 303 pubs in England, Scotland, and Wales were shuttered from January to March (Campaign for Real Ale).
• 1,062 pubs have closed, with 210 changing use (Campaign for Real Ale).
• The average publican makes just 12p profit on a £5 pint (Tom Sandham).
• Pubs are crucial to communities, with over 140,000 people employed in the industry (Campaign for Real Ale).

Sources:

• Camra (Campaign for Real Ale)
• Tom Sandham (The Thinking Drinkers)
• Ben McFarland (The Thinking Drinkers)
• British Beer and Pub Association's Long Live The Local initiative