Well this is an incredibly late third instalment of Pints & Perfect Moments! I’ve re-read the last one that went out at the beginning of March pre-lockdown and it feels like an absolute lifetime ago! I started that one off saying it felt a bit needless to be throwing together a blog pretending it’s business as usual and even made a light-hearted joke about the worst challenge for the business yet to come. Oh the unknown naivety of it all back then!!
So, obviously s*it has been going down big time! I’ve started this blog so many times, deleted sections, re-written sections because it’s too ranty / emotional / raw! I haven’t attended to anything else other than the sole focus of business survival. I’m not going to lie. The going got tough gang and I had to retreat and get into my own headspace. I thought about giving up and I’ve sobbed a broken sob or two (you know, unstoppable, body shaking crying). I’ve felt angry and I’ve felt bad for feeling bad because it’s a privilege to worry about a self-made business really when a lot of people are dying because of a virus.
Like many of you, I’ve felt all the feelings and have sort of settled into a “new normal” pattern. Some days are stressful and take a lot to get through, some days are easy. Heck, some weeks have you feeling like you’re having a mini breakdown (like when your cooler breaks) and some weeks have you dancing in front of your phone camera for joy because the support is just too much to take!
After we closed for the foreseeable future on the 20 March (a week after the PM advised people to stay away from pubs but did not instruct it) and then sprung back with a completely new business model as a Web Shop on the 7 April, we’ve been overwhelmed by your support!
I have a feeling we’ll be operating like this for a while. There’s speculation that the hospitality sector may re-open in early July but that’s probably going to be those with outdoor or large spaces. We obviously don’t have any outdoor space and by nature a micropub is well, micro! Whoever thought it was a good idea to open up a tiny little independent pub hey??
To put it bluntly, we’re potentially screwed when everyone else can re-open and we’re forcibly stuck in a restricted lockdown business model. Even if the 2-meter distancing rule is relaxed to a meter, we are still nowhere near normal capacity whilst keeping people safe. I fear for small businesses if I’m honest and despite there being so much more hope and success than there was a couple of weeks ago, I fear for my small business still.
I feel like I repeat this weekly on social media but I really don’t mean it lightly. Every single purchase makes a huge difference! As a small business owner, I see, prep and probably pack your order. I am so very grateful to everyone who has ever placed an order and especially to those who have repeatedly ordered throughout the weeks. You are 100% the sole reason we keep going! Without you, we wouldn’t be here!
The Hanwell Massive community is still alive and kicking. My heart is still warmed that you gather online with the friends you made in our space, my head is still buzzing in fight mode and my gut is still determined to keep at it!
So, if you’ve got this far then here’s the blog in its usual format!
Time for the gripes, the good and the magic of The Dodo Micropub because it’s not just beer is it? It’s clearly so much more!
VENT THE CASK
We usually start with a vent and swiftly move on but seriously, there is obviously a lot one could vent about at the moment, so I think we’ll just leave this one out and focus on the positives.
TAPPED IT, TASTED IT
Even though we can’t physically come together over a pint down The Dodo doesn’t mean we haven’t enjoyed a beer or two together virtually.
I loved seeing all your photos from last month’s Cheeseboard Sunday Beer & Cheese Pairing! Some of you zoomed and did the tasting together and some of you just propped my video head up in your kitchens to eat and drink along!
Beer & Cheese Hanwell Massive Gathering!
Creeping into Charlotte Berridge’s kitchen!
Also, brownie points for those of you who have used The Dodo as your online meeting backgrounds to pretend you’re in The Dodo! Some just with other Hanwell Massive friends and some on actual work calls!
Ben setting The Dodo as his background whilst on a work call!!
PINTS & PERFECT MOMENTS
Despite the s*it storm there have been so many wonderful messages and moments which remind me that community and connection is the purpose and essence of The Dodo Micropub. The reason why I started and the reason why I’ll stick at it!
Here’s just one example -
The Hanwell Massive have created a pay it forward monster (the big, friendly, lovely kind). It all started with a £10 voucher paid forward from Rich who runs the Lord Nelson in Brentford and weeks later continues with donations to local charities and continued pay it forward surprise booze packages for birthdays, special occasions and just because. You’re all so bloomin lovely that it just keeps going so when I think, ha, my job is done, all the pay it forward “money” is accounted for and off my to do list, another sum of vouchers is donated back!
Seriously guys, you are all too kind!