l was flicking through an old copy of Alesman, the CAMRA magazine for the Keithley and Craven ( North Yorks) branch, when I spotted an ad for The Hare and Hounds, Lothersdale. "I've been there" I thought, and I recall with great fondness what happened during my one and only visit.
This is a TRUE tale of exemplary customer service by a pub landlord.
In the summer of 1973 3 friends and myself set off to walk the southern half of the Pennine Way, starting at Edale in The Peak District, and ending in Keld, North Yorkshire. Day 5 saw us heading north towards the village of Lothersdale, near Skipton, for a lunchtime pint. About half a mile outside the village we walked passed a farmhouse. At an upstairs window we could clearly see a girl of about our age ( early 20s) finishing off getting dressed. We stood transfixed for several moments , then carried on down to the village
The pub had just opened so we were first in . Ordering our drinks, we asked about food.
"Sorry lads, too early", said the landlord. We were starving and had a moan. After a pause, he disappeared into the back of the pub, and came back with a loaf of uncut bread, a lump of butter, a block of cheese, a bread knife and 4 plates.
" Here you go, you can make your own".
Impressed by this major first in customer service, we set about making thick sliced cheese sandwiches on the bar.
Now for what happened next, you have to think of a word that rhymes with that Kenny Everett character Cupid Stunt.
We were enjoying our self made meal, when mine host looked out through the bar window and declared,
" Watch your language lads, here comes a bit of ----"
During our laughter, the door of the pub opened and in walked the girl at the farmhouse window ! She was the barmaid !
I can't see anything like this happening these days. The guy would probably be brought up on a sexual harassment charge. Now of course in those days there was no such thing as Trip Advisor. If there was, I can imagine a comment like this :-
The Hare and Hounds pub can be found in the North Yorkshire village of Lothersdale. Run by a friendly, if slightly eccentric , landlord who specialises in allowing customers to prepare their own meals. However his attitude to female staff leaves a lot to be desired.
5 out of 5 for customer service, but 0 out if 5 for subtlety.
PS we still had to pay for our food .
