Trifter

THE PLOUGH AT HIGH FLATTS

NOWADAYS many pubs seem more like licensed restaurants than drinking places.  A large number of publicans feel that they must make their major profits from catering sales, particularly if they are in an isolated area.

Edgar and Anne Drew went on the opposite tack when they took over the Plough at High Flatts, near Chester le Street in Co Durham.  It stands half a mile equidistance from two villages and with only a farm nearby has no real catchment area of customers.

They spent time looking at the various aspects of their trade.  After deciding that their food trade was too low and unpredictable, they terminated it to concentrate on their wet sales, keeping the price of their most popular beer at £1.25 per pint.

Regular customers have to make an effort to get to the Plough, travelling either in cars, taxis buses or on foot.  They like the way that the pub is and having made this effort, have no wish for it to change.

The Drews have kept the price of their most popular beer down to £1.30 a pint from opening time at 2pm until 7pm on weekdays.

Every customer, whether regular, new or passing is made welcome in the Plough which is a good talking pub with many knowledgeable customers able to discuss virtually every subject under the sun.  Many walkers and cyclists, doing the nearby Sustans Coast to Coast cycle route decide to drop into the plough when they see it across the fields.

Horse racing is the Plough’s major passion with a large number of resident experts.  Meetings are normally on one of the television sets. Entertainment, general knowledge and music quizzes are held on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

The Leek Club holds an annual show in September with the exhibits being auctioned for local charities.

Almost all social classes and all age groups with children always being welcome.  There is a well equipped play area in the beer garden which has extensive views.

The Plough is always clean and warm.  The opaque windows were replaced last year by clear double glazed units which allow panoramas over rolling countryside in three directions