Chequers Micropub in Beverley celebrate their fifth year since Ian Allott opened in the historic market town.
Breaking the mould Ian opened Chequers Micropub in Swabys Yard following a desire for a career change and show he heard on BBC Radio 4.
His small niche venue has proved a big hit, serving up quality and varied Cask Ale’s alongside other select beverages sourced from small breweries
Speaking about how Chequers Micropub came about Ian said;
“After hearing an item on radio 4 about Martin Hillier who opened the first Micropub in Herne Kent I visited that weekend and was sold on the concept.”
“As a total novice to the industry I was naive enough to not think that every pub had to have Lager Guinness TV coffee spirits music gaming machines & Wi-Fi.”
“For Chequers Micropub we were going old school and concentrated on just five changing cask beers boxed unchilled ciders a couple of wines and soft drinks.”
“Everyone said we were crazy we wouldn’t survive a month. It took 15 months to find the location and sort planning licensing & doing the build. There were only 3 Micropubs in the north of England & none in Yorkshire so everyone was sceptical.”
“When we opened a we were full minutes after opening the doors. The first Friday night we emptied the cellar and thanks to Alan Rice, who was still looking for a site for ATOM Brewery, he brought me 5 great extra beers.”
“We broke my target for my highest sales expectation in week 2 and have done it every week since.”
Ian says the past five years have been blast in period that has seen Chequers Micropub pick up a string of awards.
He said;
“We have won at least one CAMRA award every year since we opened and have featured in the Good Beer Guide for the last four editions.
“Our success is down to three things. A great and varied clientele who love the place and welcome visitors, a great team of staff and of course the great & varied CASK ALE.”
“We have changed over the years. The beers are even better, bigger and more varied. We have ridden the wave of hundreds of new breweries and their great beers.”
“We now have three Keg lines, without a Lager in sight. A Big & Hoppy Line, a Big Thick and Dark Line and a SOUR beer Line.”
“Who would have thought it? Thanks to all our customers past & present & here’s to the next 5 years Cheers.”
