A North Norfolk pub has turned a potentially costly equipment failure into a pioneering success story – thanks to the tenant's love of gin.
When the Red Hart pub's beer cooler broke down, regulars used to drinking cold lager faced having to go thirsty.
Until quick-thinking tenant Elaine Merritt suggested they tried gin, instead.
Since that day, The Red Hart, in The Street, Bodham, went from stocking just two gins to 12, then 20, and now offers more than 30 brands, and was the first pub in the region to have its own 12-page gin booklet/menu.
Mrs Merritt said: 'One Sunday lunchtime our beer cooler packed up. The older regulars weren't too worried by the lager not being the perfect temperature, but the younger ones weren't keen on slightly warmer pints, and asked me what they should drink instead.
'Being a gin lover, I suggested they try gin and tonic and they loved it.'
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