It's been a year when the trade has faced challenges like never before. But pubs are soldiering on to serve their communities and our autumn issue aims to help licensees adapt their businesses to survive and thrive in these trying times. We take a look at some of the customer trends sparked by the lockdown, and how pubs can adapt their strategies to the new normal. But pubs remain a place for fun, something this issue's guest editor Debbie Baisden knows all about. Having recently taken on and refurbished The Rayleigh Arms in Essex, Debbie found herself in the unusual position of reopening the pub twice in the space of a year. As if that wasn't keeping her busy enough, she juggles licensee life with that of her alter ego Dolly Slatemen, a pub landlady character who she brings to life in stage shows, and who you can meet in these pages. This year of all years, people are crying out for some light relief, so elsewhere in the issue we look at how to make Halloween fun, plus the best ciders and Christmas drinks.
