The UK may still be in lockdown, but that won’t stop Punch pubs marking VE Day with specially adapted celebrations up and down the country.
Friday 8 May marks 75 years since people took to their streets and pubs to celebrate the end of World War II in Europe. Many pubs had exciting plans to celebrate this special anniversary and remember those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
But instead, Punch Pubs & Co staff and Publicans will be taking part in The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two at 3pm on Friday. And although original plans to celebrate in the nation’s pubs have been cancelled, many have still managed to put some fantastic alternative plans in place:
- The Wellington in Borehamwood will host singer Aimi P, who was originally booked to perform in the pub, with a live performance on the pub’s Facebook Page. Aimi will sing a number of wartime classics in her hour-long performance this Friday night from 8pm.
- The Spread Eagle in Brentwood is closing its takeaway service for the evening so that staff can share some love in the community on VE Day. They’ve joined forces with local independent businesses, as well as Brentwood School Cadets, to cook and deliver shepherd’s pie and desserts to 80 local care home residents.
- The Crown in Accrington will be decorated and launching a special Friday evening takeaway service to its customers, along with a VE Day takeaway breakfast service from 8.30am until 12.30pm – meaning they’ll be doing their popular takeaway breakfasts for the entire weekend.
- The Plough in Ellington will be raising money for the CELL Community Foodbank that supports local villages. They have been promoting their VE Day competition via Facebook where four lucky winners will win a vintage afternoon tea delivered to their door. Entries cost £5, with all proceeds being generously donated to the foodbank.
- The Lamb Inn in Edgmond will be serving up a traditional fish supper for customers to take away. They’ll be serving beer-battered cod, chips and mushy peas for £10, with the meals to be collected between 5pm and 7pm.
Clive Chesser, CEO of Punch, said; “It’s been truly heart-warming to see so many of our pubs adapt their VE Day celebrations to the current situation with some really innovative ideas.
“With all their great plans to host events unfortunately having to be cancelled, I’m so proud to see that our fantastic Publicans have once again risen to the challenge and are marking this special day in style nevertheless.”