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‘We want to save people money’: Elrick’s Broadstraik Inn reopens with cheaper pints

Broadstraik Inn owners
From left: Craig Jackson and his husband Steven Goldie inside the Broadstraiak Inn. Picture by Kami Thomson/DC Thomson.

Reopened Elrick pub the Broadstraik Inn is thumbing its nose at the cost of living crisis by lowering the price of pints by 20p.

The Aberdeenshire venue on Straik Road closed its doors in February, but is now under new management.

Incoming landlord Craig Jackson has big plans for the pub including a return of karaoke nights and live music.

The Broadstraik Inn in Elrick is reopening under new management. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson.

And as winter brings the threat of rising bills, Craig aims to give a little back to Elrick by dropping the cost of a much-needed drink.

“Everybody’s put their prices up, but we’ve come in and slashed the price of beer,” says Craig, who is also cutting pint prices by 20p at the other north-east pub he manages, the Mains of Scotstown in Bridge of Don.

“With the cost of living being what it is, we want to save people money and still get them to enjoy their local pub.”

Manager Stewart Sleith is also looking forward to serving new customers and regulars alike. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson.

Craig says he’s able to offer cheaper pints to customers because he buys his beer in bulk through pub operator Punch Taverns, which owns the Broadstraik and Mains of Scotstown as well as the two Glasgow bars Craig runs.

However, he’s keen to make other changes to the north-east pubs to attract punters at a difficult time.

He’s switching up the menus to offer what he calls more “traditional Scottish food” such as haggis as well as pub grub favourites.

Inside the restaurant area of the Broadstraik Inn. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson.

Meanwhile, he’s bringing in entertainment nights with live bands as well as karaoke.

At the Broadstraik a back room will be turned into a sports bar. At the Mains, a DJ last week packed the place out.

£7 pints of venom are Craig’s secret weapon

On the booze front, a bottle of pinot grigio is £12.95, down from £18.95. And Craig has a secret weapon to bring the younger crowd back into pubs – £7 pints of venom.

“It’s what all the young ones are drinking,” he says of the drink that mixes orange juice, a shot of vodka and a shot of Southern Comfort with a full bottle of Blue WKD.

“But at a club they are getting charged £10, £11 for it.”

Craig Jackson pours a pint in his new bar. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson.

Craig’s food prices are also designed to appeal to price-conscious customers.

Both the Mains of Scotstown and the Broadstraik will have fish and chips for £10.95 and steak pie for £9.50.

Macaroni cheese is also £9.50 while a scampi and chips will set you back £11.

“The food is going to be a big part of it,” Craig says of his menu. “If we give people good honest food at reasonable prices then we’re on to a winner.”

Pictured is a duck dish that was available previously, however the Broadstraik Inn will be focusing more on pub favourites again under new ownership. Picture by Heather Fowlie.

Asked how he’s keeping his food and drink prices low, Craig says his secret is simple.

“I’m listening to what the customers are wanting and giving them what they want,” he explains. “There’s no point in stocking 35 gins if people don’t want 35 gins.”

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