QUESTIONNAIRE Responses THE SHIP INN, BLAXHALL
Thank you to everyone who completed the Blaxhall Ship Inn Project Questionnaire. We were delighted with the response and have now collated all the information.
Please do not remove the hard copy of the results from the Bus Stop ... We recommend taking the time over a cup of tea and reading it at your leisure ... in situ.
The importance of The Ship Inn to the village is proven, without doubt and with the potential for it to become a Community Owned Pub comes the opportunity for it to become more of a hub for Blaxhall and beyond.
With the support of the Blaxhall Parish Council, members of the steering group of The Blaxhall Ship Project are continuing discussions with Terry and taking the next step to progress The Ship Inn as an Asset of Community Value (ACV)
Thank you again for your support.
Watch this space!
Resident’s Questionnaire - The Ship Inn, Blaxhall
Deadline for submissions 8th March 2024
Total of 72 Responses
- 26 online questionnaire submissions
- 46 printed questionnaire submissions
3. If you do not support a Community Project, please tell us why (optional)
- for the health off the village, we should have a pub.
- integral part of the village that needs protecting and investment.
- it would be useful to what extent other community projects of this type have succeeded and for a reasonable period of time. Support. we need to put in place safeguards to make sure the Blaxhall ship pub remains a viable concern future generation.
- Yes, I support a project as it would benefit mental health well-being. social hub. opportunity for events. provide support to older members of community and in harsh Winters flooding pandemics etc provides venue for meetings
- asset for the village as is the village hall which could be a pop-up pub.
- The Ship is an important Village asset and should be saved
- Brilliant idea. the ship is so important to the community both. historically and currently.
Please note that one response has been redacted due to inappropriate and offensive content.
if "other" or professional advice and/or skills , please give details
- I am an accountant/ tax adviser, with current first aid at work certificate, I have run similar pubs with letting rooms in the past, but am currently heavily committed with other Blaxhall activities, I am not looking to take anything else on, but willing to pitch in as and when the need arises - I think it is important that the village secures the freehold, but a professional tenant landlord would probably be the most successful in running the Ship
- fundraising, making a donation, helping to publicize on social media. I do think it is important to find someone with good IT skills to carte a really eye catching website. I don’t have those skills but would be keen to commit tis shouting about the pub a lot on social media.
- flipping burgers and pulling pints events organization and management grounds maintenance property maintenance event support organisation management
- I've held a personal licence etc for getting on for 30 years and been responsible for a bar and catering operation amongst other things.
- very happy to join management committee. Both would like to volunteer for whatever is neededfundraising etc
- can't offer regular help but cold occasionally lend a hand with gardening/ maintenance etc for any working parties.
- building and construction helping with fundraising and general volunteering, professional advice
- heritage planning (The Ship is listed grade 2) maybe helping with written material eg web content
- In theory maybe able to offer advice (if relevant) regarding charity status tax etc.
- I could help irregularly -the odd gardening day or a one-off day of volunteering.
- I could help with advertising but don't have any spare time for much else
- Happy to help with the running of the business, possibly providing a loan.
- assist management committee, general volunteer services.
- general volunteer perhaps, painting and decorating
- happy to do gardening, cleaning if not too arduous.
- donation and cleaning, promotion and marketing
- Have owned and worked in pubs for over 30 year
- Experience in marketing, hospitality and PR.
- Would be prepared to help out if I can.
- Two qualified lawyers in the family
- occasional maintenance related.
- events organisation & marketing
- would consider various options.
- and general volunteer services
- general volunteering, cleaning
- Legal, financial or business
- interior design and décor
- general from time to time
- willing to be involved
- Architectural design
- any general DIY Building skills
Please give details:
- Folk singing, local groups, funeral/parties
- coffee morning or afternoon type social meetings to hopefully include a wider range of locals, or these could be in the village hall and therefore cheaper
- it would be great to have an informal place to meet but beware using it as a cheaper alternative to the village hall which would then suffer financially.
- could be a venue to meet for a coffee before going on a team walk and reconvening for lunch or cup of tea in summer follows by a few pints before dinner!
- BCOST should have meetings for trustees and anyone who wants to attend these, would use it for a coffee.
- possibility of a cricket club AGM etc, can see the benefit of coffee mornings for retired residents.
- That the pub is to remain that to be a place where drinkers and diners feel comfortable
- games? play readings? other committees as they come along, knitting groups etc.
- happy to come to any clubs as a member for example art or walking.
- board game events, knitting groups and book clubs.
- Folk singing, local groups, funeral/parties
- Work full time so probably wouldn’t attend.
- BCOST meetings might be held in the pub
- not to compete with village hall though
- To get together to sing and play music.
- allotment meetings, cycling activities.
- if I was a member of a club
- games evenings etc
- Play reading group.
- coffee breakfast
- Coffee mornings
- walking groups
- BCOST meeting
- Fete meetings
- play readings.
- Events
8. What do you think the community pub opening hours should be?
- Ideally 10am - 9pm weekdays and longer at weekends Note Sorrel Horse Shottisham is also a community run pub and their hours are: M,T,W 12 - 3pm Thu 12-3 , 5-8pm Fri and Sat 12-10pm sundae closed. Maybe worth a chat to find out why.
- more important - the question is who would be responsible for the day to day running of the community pub. to be a success it needs people who know how to run pub. volunteers are only a small part of the project.
- once a week - in person, we are currently occasionally having previously been more frequent. however, our Air BnB guests use it weekly, hence ticked that box.
- All lunch times perhaps 12 - 3pm Monday to Friday Every evening 5pm - 10pm (11 if still has customers) Sat and Sunday 12 - 11pm
- Regular hours are essential. If it is to be a community asset, then it needs to be available to the community every day
- the same. especially if people staying in the chalets would expect breakfast and meals too , the chalets bring in money
- maybe midday to 3pm, 5.30/6pm - 10.30pm. longer hours on Sunday? and maybe one morning a week mid.am? for an hour or 2?
- weekends, Monday afternoon for traditional music, Thursdays and Fridays, promote to cyclists and walkers in the area.
- normal pub opening hours for pub business, but, likely, longer hours if it is to be used for other businesses
- I'd like to think it would be good for a coffee in the morning, and somewhere to work for a bit so 9am opening?
- usual pub hours with maybe one or two whole days closed in the wintertime (Mondays except BH)
- Maybe doesn’t need to be open lunchtime weekdays or some evenings early in week esp. in winter.
- As there are guest rooms the pub will have to be open most mealtimes, and offer some food
- summer and winter times could vary. no point in late opening hours Monday to Thursday
- 12.00 - 2.30pm 5.00 -10pm except Sundays - perhaps closed in the evening 12.00 - 4pm
- Weekend all hour’s weekdays Monday 11-8, Friday 11-11, Tues-Thurs lunch and evening
- I think this would need to be looked at in terms of need and financial viability.
- summer hours 11am- 11 pm Winter hours shorter maybe closed Tuesday.
- depends on chalets, events outside busy trading hours etc
- as often as possible. ie coffee shop, eating venue.
- ideally daily in accordance with business demand
- As many as possible that are financially viable
- same at present, usual pub hours, 12- 11pm
- lunch times 12- 3pm. evenings 6 - 10pm
- Depends on the management structure.
- as much as possible - 7 days a week
- not sure but certainly by 12 noon
- 12.00 noon -3.00. 6.00 - 10.00
- lunch and evenings as required.
- every day until 10pm at least
- not sure -as it already is??
- 12pm - 11pm, 7 days a week
- hours as they at present
- 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm
- Whatever is profitable.
- as often as possible
- Usual pub hours.
- As it is now - as currently
- pub hours
- Regular - daily
10. If The Ship Inn was to become a community pub, what other events would you like to see which would benefit the community? eg Quiz night, Games night, Knit and Natter
- quiz nights.
- Quiz nights!
- the pub should be creative when looking at functions it can accommodate ... I would support any community activities ... I feel it could help to counter isolation in the village, particularly amongst the elderly.
- evening community events, whether it be monthly / bimonthly. village dinner or community event that does not compete with the village hall programme. walk and lunch events, society lunch / dinners.
- curry night, arts tournament, quiz night, Saturday morning - once every 2 months - bacon sandwich and coffee gathering. Springtime plant swop / sale. Crafting indoors.
- pub games - again to hopefully include a wider range of locals and also those on a. budget. However, the village hall is also suited to this and boules.
- quiz, summer outside events e.g. barbecue, music, hog roast nights for special calendar events - burns night, paddies, St Georges.
- music events, weekend festival events, quiz nights, themed nights, curry, Mexican, Italian French - dress code applicable too!
- all of the above and food special nights, burns night, Chinese New Year etc. wine and food tasting evenings.
- pub games and quizzes, film night with food to compliment, talks by local experts, special foodie nights.
- At the moment I do not visit as much as I would like simply because of work commitments.
- why not! Anything to encourage people into the pub who might not normally go there.
- quiz night, food themed events its, curry rights pizzas, steak nights etc
- any of the above including " guest chefs' in order to offer some variety.
- Yes, to games nights, quiz nights, how about Zumba! Darts in the garden!
- yes - quiz nights and pub games nights would bring in more customers.
- Televised sporting events. Perhaps streamed theatre or film nights?
- quiz night, allotment ideas, local interest activities.
- quiz nights, circular walks from and back to the pub.
- Art, dance, historic learning, pagan celebrations
- quiz nights and games nights would be fun.
- Quiz, darts, discussion group, book club.
- Yes, if the majority of people wanted it
- quizzes, BBQs, open art exhibitions
- would love a regular quiz night.
- Quizzes and food themed nights
- Quiz night and foodie nights.
- Quiz night story telling.
- quiz nights, wine tasting.
- Quiz nights, curry nights.
- Quiz nights, board games.
- More music if possible
- games. quizzes. Talks
- The more the better - any of the above
- any if supported
- they sound good,
- yes a good idea
- pub quiz nights
- Not worried
- darts night
- Quiz night.
- Quiz Nights
- Quiz night.
- All above
- Darts - Quiz
11. Are there any other community services you would like to see on offer at a community pub? For example, somewhere to pick up basic groceries/ papers, pop up health services, place of contact & safety in emergencies such as flooding & power outages, warm space? Please give details.
- any of the above, Sunday papers! It has such potential to bring people into the area and could be a much better asset for the village. Its musical traditions/ reputation must not be lost. That would be tragic. A final comment: of the many members of staff in the past few years, there haven’t been many who make one feel instantly welcome when you walk in. A smile and ' hello' goes a long way. Please bear this in mind if appointing a manager / staff!!
- Basic groceries /pop up health/ safety and emergencies support plus bread collection Nowhere to put this on form but please could fire be lit!!! Really helps with atmosphere as well as warmth.
- definitely groceries convenience with previous experience as a first responder a venue for training update training facilities provider courses can be conducted out of hours open art exhibitions.
- groceries a good idea for basics. bread milk, tin food, that sort of thing - p.office would be amazing but unlikely probably, warm space, emergency all good ideas.
- community taxi service, basic grocery store, warm space and an emergency place of safety and any services that would bring the community together would be welcome.
- all emergencies- especially access to defibrillator managed by Professional staff who actually like working with people and a safe place to be welcomed.
- Parcel collection/drop off point. More extensive recycling options. Clothing banks, cardboard e.t.c. Coffee shop, pastries, breads, breakfasts.
- with the pub being the hub of the community it that support in times of trouble - I think it is important that the pub remains that!
- all of the suggested ... a local produce market might work, perhaps from an outside stall, with the pub taking a % of the receipts.
- collection point for pre ordered newspapers. Collection point for Amazon/ parcel deliveries and returns. Basic groceries.
- walking group, art classes, gardening and veggie growing, basic groceries, post office, delivery drop off, pop up health.
- papers, village hub, pensioners lunches (discounted!) Fully Supportive - look at Shottisham Sorrel horsebrilliant!
- these things would be lovely, if feasible - but i also think commercial viability must be the number one consideration.
- PO and store be good but not sure will work. Walking groups good if park and eat or coffee available.
- can see benefit of the use for clubs and groups. a small shop for the basic groceries would be good.
- emergency plan centre, warm space, post office would be great but probably too complex to set up.
- sale of basic things eg. stamps, hub for community support in emergencies
- All of the above possibly - village hall also useful for some of these - all of the above plus a "warm space" during exceptionally cold spells
- Local issues & internet collection service, postal facilities - all of the above plus pickup service for internet deliveries
- all of the above BUT THESE would be difficult to get - post office, shop, place of safety if it has a generator.
- any of the above, community basic shop would be great.
- Definitely basic groceries and most of the above.
- emergency contact, walking groups, pop-up health.
- a place of contact would be a great idea
- walking groups cycling groups warm space
- a community pub that is a community hub
- Local veg and papers would be great.
- Any of the above could be considered.
- Warm space & parcel pick up point
- ideas need further discussion.
- warm space!! Communication
- all of those sound useful.
- tourist information centre
- good English pub food
- delivery collections
- All of the above.
- all if supported.
- all of the above
- All those things
- mobile dentist
- All on list
- Newspaper - Not really
12. If there was to be a continued food offering, what type of menu would you like to see at the community pub?
- Again, I think this would/should be largely dictated by commercial considerations. But within what would work commercially, I'd personally like to see a fairly traditional pub menu - but not all that deep fried stuff! I personally miss the option of sandwiches/ baguettes/ jacket potatoes at lunchtimes. If there was the odd slightly fancier and more expensive " special" menu that would be nice. Fish especially, for the specials, perhaps as we are near the sea? I’m curious about your prefacing this question with " if there was to be ..." and I also noted no mention of the B and B chalets in the questionnaire. These are obviously one of the pubs main resources. And if the B and B business is to continue, there will have to be a functioning kitchen - at least for breakfasts and realistically for evening meals, too, or else overnight guests will be forced to drive. I do think everything has to begin with looking at the present business, what bring in money, and what doesn't - rather than starting from the other end with a. collective fantasy wish list which may not be commercially viable.
- Decent ploughman’s with options for affordable bread or fancy bread ( e.g. homemade or real sourdough) Healthy soups, curry or chilli evenings. More Homemade and less freezer-to-microwave food. Smaller menu is better. Coffee and cakes in the day? Monthly / Sunday roasts.
- home cooked food rather than everything out of deep fat fryer. various interesting menu. more fresh fish We have been put off slightly by abrupt staff and also uninteresting menu but do value the pub and would use bit more if more appealing.
- that's the main reason we use the pub so little - food has gone downhill over the years. proper home cooked food, using locally sourced produce - less fried food and chips! pensioners lunches used to be great on Friday lunchtimes.
- Local and/or simple healthy sausage pie mash Welsh Rabbit chopped new potatoes homemade soup and roll include vegan themed (Asian curry Thai pizza pasta) wine tasting beer tasting BBQ Pudding Club
- look at other popular food pubs. depending on size of kitchen, smaller menu but good cooked hot food or cold options. better coffee. too many changes in what is offered at the moment.
- proper coffee / cakes / pastries for morning coffee and catch ups, locally sourced and seasonal light bites/sandwiches, special nights eg curry night, Italian night, Thai food.
- simplified menu with far less offerings using locally sourced seasonal ingredients - produce from allotment association - usually fresh and cheap
- It would be great to have food that was locally sourced and some organic - not fancy and unaffordable but seasonal fresh healthy and local –
- toasted sandwiches. Reduce the existing menu to make offer simpler but better standard. Good ploughman’s/ pork pies. Good attractive salads.
- I feel it should concentrate on a smaller menu with good quality traditional pub food ... including a reasonable choice of vegetarian food.
- Higher quality. I would visit more if the food and beer was good quality. Local produce. Light lunches and interesting main meals.
- theme nights eg seafood, curry, special items not usually on menu done really well, a light lunch menupaninis, jacket potatoes
- much better food by chef and not cook. maybe food on limited days, the green man being a good example. good Sunday roast
- Simplified menu, good quality and using local produce. Good fresh bread, soups, ploughman’s, salads, etc NOT gastro pub and all reasonably priced
- I think the food is fine at present. good honest pub food with a slice of elegance is important.
- Basic very short menu which was fresh, seasonal and pref local Produce with one veg option.
- good basic food, sausage, fish and chips, lasagne etc prob all these are on offer already.
- Will it have a chef? If so, a specials board with a broad range of freshly cooked options
- Good quality pub grub but with a bit more flare than offered but not a gastro pub
- I rarely eat there or out. I prefer good value pub food not fancy meals at fancy prices.
- Good home cooking, suitable for locals to eat regularly and visitors staying overnight.
- Focus on local ingredients. More should be made of where ingredients come from.
- bistro, fresh food on chalk board, limited menu, better wine and spirits
- Good, locally sourced food, limited. menu, not too fancy, not gastro
- Basic pub food eg. ploughman's, burgers, fish & chips, curries.
- locally sourced from local businesses may help. Less fast food
- good locally produced pub grub NOT fine dining
- I'd be happy with a much shorter menu that changes regularly.
- Simple good quality local food - menu does not need to be.
- Traditional pub food as well as roast dinners on Sundays
- if different from the food currently English food only
- ENGLISH food in season ingredients sourced locally.
- Standard pub fare, inviting and reasonably priced.
- weekday low-cost lunches for low income groups
- classic pub food simple dishes local produce
- Can a village pub be viable without food?
- Pub grub - quality over extensive menu
- pub grub and varying tempting dishes
- a simple but better-quality offering
- sensibly priced home cooked food
- good quality reasonably priced
- normal "pub grub" affordable
- baguette, sandwich, snacks
- keep to a well proven menu.
- curry nights, pizza nights.
- current pub food is great.
- food is good at present.
- Ploughman’s and Pies
- Fresh seasonal fare
- good "pub Grub:"
- Honest pub grub
- basic pub grub
- Good pub grub
- Continuity
- good food
- Not sure
