This is the sixth time the pub has put on the event, after having to cancel it last year due to Covid.
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A pub in Wimbledon is to offer a free Christmas dinner to members of the community who are alone this Christmas. The Alexandra pub is plating up roasts to those who would otherwise be spending the holiday without any company.
All you have to do is turn up on the day to attend and receive a free three-course meal and a couple of drinks, with no pre-booking required. The pub is keen to make the event as accessible as possible, recognising that admitting you are alone can be a big step for some.
Guests will be sat on tables of four, six or eight, so those who would otherwise be spending Christmas on their own can engage in chat and Christmas cheer with other attendees.
The Alexandra first started this festive tradition six years ago, after landlord Mick Dore noticed a man by himself on Christmas day. 2019’s event saw 149 people turn up to the boozer, and after an enforced break last year due to Covid, Mick is sure this year’s celebration will be the best yet.
The whole community will be contributing to this event. The Alexandra’s suppliers are offering fruit and vegetables and meat at reduced costs, and the local community are providing gifts and donating to spare change pots on the bar. Because of all this help, The Alexandra is able to hold the event without putting too big a dent in their takings.
The Alexandra landlady Sarah Dore said: “It makes [Christmas] super special. If you get through the day without a tear in your eye you’re a harder man than I am, that’s for sure. Seeing people’s faces when they come in, they’re not expecting the level of generosity from our customers, from our suppliers. There’s drinks, there’s gifts, there’s entertainment and it’s just such a warm and lovely environment.”
Landlord Mick Dore added: “It’s a really heart-warming day; it’s the best day of the year actually.”
The news comes after statistics released by the Campaign to End Loneliness revealed the state of chronic loneliness in the UK post-Covid. Around a million people became chronically lonely during lockdown. Almost four million adults reported that they were always or often lonely at the beginning of 2021 to the Office for National Statistics.
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HeadlineLonely this Christmas? Wimbledon pub to offer free dinners
Short HeadlinePub offering Christmas dinner to the lonely
StandfirstGuests will get a free three-course meal and will spend the day celebrating with others rather than on their own.
A pub in Wimbledon is to offer a free Christmas dinner to members of the community who are alone this Christmas. The Alexandra pub is plating up roasts to those who would otherwise be spending the holiday without any company.
All you have to do is turn up on the day to attend and receive a free three-course meal and a couple of drinks, with no pre-booking required. The pub is keen to make the event as accessible as possible, recognising that admitting you are alone can be a big step for some.
Guests will be sat on tables of four, six or eight, so those who would otherwise be spending Christmas on their own can engage in chat and Christmas cheer with other attendees.
The Alexandra first started this festive tradition six years ago, after landlord Mick Dore noticed a man by himself on Christmas day. 2019’s event saw 149 people turn up to the boozer, and after an enforced break last year due to Covid, Mick is sure this year’s celebration will be the best yet.
The whole community will be contributing to this event. The Alexandra’s suppliers are offering fruit and vegetables and meat at reduced costs, and the local community are providing gifts and donating to spare change pots on the bar. Because of all this help, The Alexandra is able to hold the event without putting too big a dent in their takings.
The Alexandra landlady Sarah Dore said: “It makes [Christmas] super special. If you get through the day without a tear in your eye you’re a harder man than I am, that’s for sure. Seeing people’s faces when they come in, they’re not expecting the level of generosity from our customers, from our suppliers. There’s drinks, there’s gifts, there’s entertainment and it’s just such a warm and lovely environment.”
Landlord Mick Dore added: “It’s a really heart-warming day; it’s the best day of the year actually.”
The news comes after statistics released by the Campaign to End Loneliness revealed the state of chronic loneliness in the UK post-Covid. Around a million people became chronically lonely during lockdown. Almost four million adults reported that they were always or often lonely at the beginning of 2021 to the Office for National Statistics.
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