Belthorn pub gives red card to football (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Belthorn pub gives red card to football

2:32pm Thursday 10th June 2010 in Belthorn By Emma Cruces, Reporter

A PUB has been declared a World Cup-free zone.

Bosses of the Dog Inn in Belthorn say that rather than bringing in the flags and big screens for the event they have instead opted to provide a sanctuary for diners who want to enjoy pub grub in peace.

They say their decision is in direct contrast to the nearby Pack Horse in Elton Road, which has put on a big screen for football fans, because their regulars would rather have a meal and a chat than succumb to World Cup fever.

Landlady of the Belthorn Road pub Christine Hodgkiss said: "We want to keep it free for people who don't enjoy the big screens and the crowds in England shirts.

“A lot of our regulars come for a meal and a quiet drink so it just wouldn't suit us, we are an old country inn.

"We are about allowing people to get a bit of peace and to enjoy beautiful views over the Pennines. The other pub in the village is the Pack Horse and they have a big screen, so it made no sense to try and do what they were already doing. We are the only alternative."

Landord Brian Hodgkiss said: "It's not that we don't like football, we do - we're not miserable. If we were just a drinking pub it would be different, but the Dog Inn is where people come to enjoy good food. There are plenty of places to watch the football and we just wanted to offer an alternative."

At the Pack Horse, Cath McGurk said: “We don’t usually have a television but we will be putting on a big screen for the World Cup because the locals have asked us to. Everyone is looking forward to it and it should be good.”