Life
Mom opens a virtual pub for people in her town, ends up with more than 14K global customers
This mom really turned lemons into lemonade.
Kirsten Spruch
04.02.20

Restaurants and bars all over the globe have shut down due to the current pandemic. As we are all trying our best to properly practice social distancing, our mental health can feel like it is on a downswing. When we are practically forbidden to see the people we love, life can suddenly feel like a really big challenge. Because of coronavirus, it is only natural that we all feel a bit lonely, and it is normal to miss the simple act of going to our favorite local pub at 8 pm on a Friday night after a long day out at the office.

40-year-old Jo Bowtell, who is an ex-landlady from Spondon, Derby, saw a specific need in the world: people missed going out to their favorite bars. Since live streams have become increasingly popular for music concerts, makeup artists, and more, Bowtell took it upon herself to create a virtual pub.

Good News Network
Source:
Good News Network

It was initially created just for the people in her town.

She and her local English community ran The Noel Arms in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire for many years until this sudden change of events.

Bowtell has a whopping 14,500 online customers.

A little over a week ago, she launched “THE VIRTUAL PUB: Peace, Love and Immunity For Our Community” on Facebook. There, she now hosts a variety of things that one would normally see at a regular pub — live music, open mic nights, comedy nights, DJ sets and trivia.

Good News Network
Source:
Good News Network

People from the local area also post other things in the group, like birthday celebrations, quizzes, and other little momentous occasions. Just from scrolling through the group, you can really get a good sense of neighborly love. It is nothing but positivity and friendliness.

Good News Network
Source:
Good News Network

Members of the group also share selfies of themselves while they enjoy whatever virtual event is going on at the moment.

According to Bowtell, running the virtual pub has accidentally turned into a full-time gig.

“It has completely blown up. We’ve got 3,000 members just waiting for approval — it’s like there’s a queue at the door to get in,” she told Good News Network. “It’s the biggest pub I’ve ever ran and I can’t believe how popular it has become.

“It started as just a way for locals in Melton Mowbray who knew the pub to keep in touch. Now, I’ve got people in Hawaii tuning in to watch a DJ set and people stranded in Italy watching comedy nights with their mum in Britain.

The Virtual Pub
Source:
The Virtual Pub

Bowtell goes on to explain just how nice it has been to bring so many people together, especially during such a tough time. She adds that it really is like going to a pub in reality too — just, you know, virtually from your living room.

The most important part is that it is keeping friends and family entertained and connected. That was the true goal.

“I have to delegate jobs to my team. I’ve had to ask a friend in Australia to moderate the page throughout the night to make sure there’s entertainment for patrons 24/7. I have people looking after the technical side of things and others doing online tutorials for new users.”

The best part is that she doesn’t even have the hassle of serving alcohol.

The Virtual Pub
Source:
The Virtual Pub

“I’ve got moderators, who are like bouncers vetting who can come in, and the bar staff chatting to people over a virtual bar counter.

“A bit closer to the nucleus of the idea is a landlady of a pub in Melton is offering to deliver drinks to people. But most people are just drinking from home.

“We’re encouraging people to drink responsibly though. We have coffee mornings as well.”

The world needs more people like Bowtell, that’s for sure!

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