Hot weather helps boost Norfolk pubs

Pubs are seeing an increase in trade during the hot weather, bar staff have revealed.

Workers at the Cock Inn and the Saracen's Head, in Diss, say there has been a boost in sales during this month's heatwave, with punters enjoying their favourite tipple outside.

But Ashley Sizer, who works at The Cock Inn, in Fair Green, said the increase in trade is also accompanied by more people getting drunk - with the risk of greater levels of anti-social behaviour.

'People are drinking more 100pc - there are not many people who don't enjoy drinking in the sun,' she said.

'People who drink at midday drink more and get drunk more quickly, but they will go home by 7pm.

'The night time crowd can sit out on the green until 9pm - and to be honest with the increase in numbers it's harder to monitor behaviour.

'Some of them are getting hammered. We are the furthest pub from Diss and the last pub stop so you don't know where they have been before.'

'We have a good rapport with customers but they know we wouldn't take any nonsense - we have a strict policy on behaviour.

'This is a friendly, welcoming lovely pub but it is a shame when the sun comes out and some people don't respect the rules.'

The Cock Inn is just one of a number of pubs in the Diss area that is part of the Pub Watch scheme - also included is The Greyhound and the Saracen's Head.

Mangers of the local pubs meet regularly to discuss trade and issues mainly. But if any individual or a group of people are causing trouble landlords will let each other know.

Manager of the Saracen's Head, Amy Clarke, said: 'With this hot weather people are definitely staying longer, and we are getting a difference in sales.

'People tend to drink ciders, pimms and drinks that last longer like white wine spritzers.

'Our clientele tend to be older, so we are not seeing an increase in anti-social behaviour.'