James May: Why I bought my local pub

Rishi Sunak has kept the ‘Drink Out to Help Out’ scheme, despite plans to stop it this week.
James May co-owns a pub in Salisbury, and discusses whether pubs are becoming 'lifestyle destinations'.
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[@shellsbignumber2]

' James May why did you buy your local pub?' ' Because I wanted a drink. ' Legend.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

Give it a year or two, when the losses add up he'll sell it, or close it...wait and see. At least, that's what usually happens when a filantropist steps in to save a business from dying. They'll give money, but not forever.

[@olivergriffiths4445]

@@paulmichaelfreedman8334 he's already owned it for about 3 and a half years.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

@@olivergriffiths4445 Pleasant surprise then:)

[@Aco747lyte]

Three cheers to James May! What super incentive in keeping local pub culture alive. 😊 💝

[@JasRoss]

There's no doubt the pub has historically been a focal point for local socialization. However, that has changed drastically over the last 20+ years and I mostly blame the pricing. In the early 2000s, I worked in central London and was in my mid-20s. Everyone didnt bat an eye about meeting at the pub after work and chat and socialize. Some drank, some didn't, but that wasnt the point. It was the social banter. Key difference is we were paying 1.80 - 2.00 pounds a pint (in London). Nowadays I meet up with friends on occasion and it is 8.00+ a pint. Its simply affordability. No one batted an eye at a spending on a couple pints a day during the workweek. Now? No one can afford 80-100 a week for drinks. The value has just gone completely out the window, hence why so many pubs have had to pivot to food services.

[@M0du5Pwn3n5]

Absolutely. The reason people stay at home is that there is nowhere left that is affordable. It's the same for everything. It's the same in much of the US. It's too expensive for the average person to go to a bar except as a special night out. There are almost no affordable restaurants left either - there used to be restaurants for a night out, but also diners where you could pay a decent price for a decent meal before or after work. But even the diners are unaffordable for a regular meal. Even fast food is becoming more and more unaffordable. When I was a kid, going to see a film was a cheap, common way to pass the time - now going to see a film is a special night out because the tickets and concessions are so expensive. And it isn't just inflation. If you look at historical wages and compare them to price, the real prices really have gone up quite a bit, particularly at the low end.

[@ElMoShApPiNeSs]

Maybe that's a good thing? Maybe think about how much alcohol you can consume in a week. Just have one pint, drink it slowly, enjoy the drink, then think about how you feel.

[@cthoadmin7458]

Well done James for taking an active part in keeping English civilisation alive!

[@kevinm.n.5158]

"Sorry go on" what a character. Thank God for putting a James May in our world

[@MarxistKnight]

Thank you Times Radio for immediately repeating the first line, I didn’t catch it 10 seconds previously.

[@Taylor___]

Not going to lie when I moved home, the first thing I did was explore the local pub.

[@garyseaton4619]

I want a local "pub", bar, watering hole that may serve good food. It's important for the neighborhood and the people in it...

[@davidsanderson625]

I've visited the pub on many occasions before and after James bought it. It is simply a lovely destination for a night out either for a beer (or three!) or a meal. It appeals at both levels. And situated in a beautiful part of Southern England. Let it continue!!

[@changbeerbeer]

The UK needs to seriously think about some of the effects of it political decisions, everyday people being about to go out and have a pint, sit chat and generally meet up and socialise is very important and part of British culture! Taxing alcohol to the point where a pint down your local is a minimum of £5 is crazy!

[@changbeerbeer]

@@tommysnurkerburger539 when all cars are electric, they will just tax the charging stations as much as they do petrol, it will be no cheaper for the driver!

[@fredorico41]

Same down here in Australia 🦘 too, our government taxes beer 🍺 to death.

[@1950sAmericanFather]

@@changbeerbeer Invest in some solar for the home. Not able to pump and refine oil at home. EV's are still going to be cheaper to operate for those with forethought on how to wisely invest in themselves. The average Britton is not driving 100's of miles daily. Home recharging will work for most.

[@BeatPoet67]

Having said that - how about all those "cool and funky" beers in the supermarket that are now starting at £3 a tin?!

[@flammenjc]

Well, I hate to be the one to say it but the culture of this country isn't as homogenous as it used to be. And you'd be foolish to ignore the fact that the change in demographics has contributed greatly to the UK Pub's demise. To me the biggest irony to me, is most of the people I see lamenting the UK Pub's demise are left of centre people who are happy to let different cultures in and in significant numbers and whether that's good or bad in itself is a different argument, the point is, people from other parts of the world [or even within the EU] aren't going to bring with them a parallel UK pub culture from their own culture to add to ours and change the one we have. They won't bring with them anything of the sort. All that will happen is UK Pub culture will be diluted until it scarcely exists at all.

[@pjohan74]

If George Harrison could finance a film just to be able to see it, I guess it is not strange if someone buys a pub to be able to have a drink once in a while.

[@christophb2736]

I'm not British, but happened to work in London on several occasions in the last 25 years. In my mid twenties as well as in my late forties I very much enjoyed the tradition to end the working day with all your coworkers in the nearest pub. It brings social life in the company culture, which made me enjoy going to work every day.

[@JasRoss]

The key difference was we paid like 1.80- 2.00 a pint back then. Even as a lowly mid-20s aged worker, it was easily affordable. Now? 8.00 - 9.00 a pint in London. No one wants to pay that, let alone a session over 2-3+ drinks.

[@joemartino6976]

James now has a pub. Jeremy has a restaurant on his farm. Will Richard open a Starbucks? Stay tuned.

[@mathewkirk1748]

Hamster would probably open an American truck-stop diner…..

[@szili76]

The smallest cog.

[@paulgoldbergdawson]

The main issue with the pub now is cost - which could be remedied by policy. I don't think it has anything to do with people not enjoying being in places like a pub!

[@hb1338]

There is a limit to how much prices can be reduced. When raw materials increase in price, restaurants may have to increase their prices in response.

[@wofffefe6342]

@@hb1338 The issue is young peoples wages vs rent/house prices.

[@DIEGhostfish]

@@hb1338 Just drop the sin tax and that helps a lot.

[@DIEGhostfish]

@@wofffefe6342 Yeah that one would likely need some serious work to smash demand and increase supply, immigration freezes, finding a way to build more without totally ruining the look of the place etc.

[@TheGrenadier97]

May made nice points about tradition and such. Really a great lad.

[@BJ-hs2sl]

My local pub in the 70s had a small front room with a hatch where the landlady passed beer. Outside was a maypole and a village pond. May 1st was the busiest day of the year! Sadly it is a house now.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Really sad - where was that?

[@ShapeyFiend]

I like going to the pub especially because I work at home. I might talk to someone. I might not. Regular spontaneous relationships are nice when you're busy and find it hard maintain a regular social schedule. Being in a space with other people is good for you even if you're not directly interacting with them.

[@charlesfulcrum3170]

Nice pub. I pop in occasionally when walking in the local area - Old Ox Drove/Chalk Valley. Good landlord, friendly staff and a pint (or 2) of Grolsch.

[@paulqueripel3493]

Not the only celebrity pub owner , "Gandalf" (part) owns The Grapes in London.

[@logtothebase2]

Pubs that I like have practically all disappeared, I think the biggest blow was Smoking (which I have never done or liked) but after it was a slow decline, now for the most part all that left are the destination pubs that are are at least 50% restaurant and 50% people meeting up by pre-arrangement, The sort of places I used to go and chat with whichever rotating cast of neighbours turned up mostly all gone.

[@Jack908r]

Saved a pub. I'd take that selfishness any day.

[@KM-ABZ]

Well done James....👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍻🍻

[@stephenmuzzelle8962]

I must say on the occasions I’ve frequented this lovely pub the atmosphere and food have been wonderful, art on the walls of which you can purchase should you take a liking, staff and management make you feel most welcome definitely worth a visit if you haven’t already checked the Royal Oak out already ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@alasdairstuart3394]

My wife and stayed over last weekend. Wonderful if brief stay. The room was lovely, the dinner and breakfast were superb but above all everybody that worked there were so friendly and welcoming. It set the tone from the moment we arrived. So thanks to all of them and we will be back. 🙏😊

[@khar12d8]

Whetherspoons do a roaring trade due to having cheap good beer. If pints were cheaper I think they would be more popular. Personally, I love the pub but you need to be on a good income to drink in a pub every other night.

[@garydunn3037]

I was born in the late 50's and the "Pub" was a place where people could "Talk the Talk" and "Chill Out" with fellow people, such as themselves. Unfortunately, things have changed, and, as James said, people in these "Austere Times" choose to buy cheap Supermarket Beer, and watch mindless, television, and have no conversation with like minded people.

[@cuebj]

Auto speak and simply not true anywhere I go. Even areas of London that lost almost all their pubs due to changing demographics and economy are now opening new or reopening old pubs with excellent beers - far better than Grotneys Red Barrel. Remember why Camra was created. And people do talk meaningfully, challenging and encouraging and supporting against mental health stuff that we ignored or mocked back in 1960s and 1970s and, presumably, before. Pubs with rooms for live music, board and other games, quiz nights, open mike comedy, topic for the night discussion sessions, no pressure to drink to excess or even to drink alcohol at all. Just visited a friend in Colchester and there's a similar richness of pub options. JM is part of that resurrection of the pub

[@garydunn3037]

@@cuebj Well, if that is the kind of pub that he is creating. Then "Good Look" to him, and I wish him every success.

[@miscellaneousz2681]

Old

[@garydunn3037]

@@miscellaneousz2681 Yeah, I suppose I am, well I was born before James and Jeremy Clarkson, so I technically am old.

[@garydunn3037]

@@miscellaneousz2681 Old Perculier?

[@thatotherguy7596]

Good for you James. If it makes you happy, and other people happy then I'd say it's a win, win. 😀

[@vlenhoff]

It's refreshing to hear someone modest, humble and honest speak his mind. Cheers James!

[@AprilJMoon]

You left school, started work and found a pub to be your 'local'. Pubs were a home from home, where everything under the sun was discussed, apart from the "banned" subjects, politics and religion. Got a bit of a leak, oh, see Fred over there, go talk to him (sorted). Babysitter required, ask Tom, his daughter is good. In a different town, go to a pub and get all the info you needed. Taxes on the beer and business (pub) have lost them most of the custom and closed TOO many forever. Too many people are now virtually under house arrest apart from work and shopping due to high costs and taxes on everything. ...... Hmmm, perhaps a revolution is necessary... Old pissheads, "unite and fight".

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

id like to point out all the major world changing revolutions were hatched in pubs.. they are ESSENTIAL gathering places for people, that tied to alcohol, let the tongue flow a bit more freely and ideas are exchanged a bit more readily then they would in the market.. or on the job. they are a pivotal part of not only a single persons mental health but a whole communities.. the fact most towns have a pub of some sort and few have a hospital, tells you which a community thinks is more important.

[@Jokervision744]

I'm for spaces that are for people. Long before, it was just basically water that was sold as beer. So public houses have changed in their meaning multiple times, but yes, I would like to see it come back in some form.

[@leenevin8451]

Pubs are vital for socialisation

[@raven_of_zoso455]

James May, James May, he steals from the rich, he steals from the poor, and once more, wants it all, it's appall...-ing... no. May is a bloody brilliant bloke! Maybe even one of my favourite people ever, in fact I like him more than my mates. He's more like my cat, he don't care one bit about me, has little to no interest if I live or die, and he just goes about doing his own interesting things. I really respect that.

[@adadadatt]

What a great story! Love James May

[@angusp5178]

The 'grotty pub' down the road here in Easton, Bristol is always busy

[@townsjim]

One of my heroes

[@juanmartinreborati7928]

Long live the pubs!

[@Jasongvl]

Good man! Keeping the local alive! More people need to do this! :)

[@patrickcarey7454]

It’s acutely a very nice pub. I do enjoy a pint there.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Whenever I visited the UK, I sought out Pubs with upgraded food of the Traditional British sort. My 'Ploughman's Lunch' came with a better quality of Farmhouse cheese and with Branston Pickle on the side. I drank Scrumpy (Farmhouse cider.) In London, I visited similar 'posh' pubs that served the kind of tiple mentioned in publications by The Campaign for Real Ale. I would have made my ''local'' a regular destination--once a week with the wife for a good dinner, on football nights to watch the game with more experienced fans, and to get to see a certain cross-section of my neighbors.

[@Taylor___]

I like how James May says the word pub. He doesn't say "PUB" he says "PAUB" LOL.

[@3321far]

I guess that's the companion piece on Prime to Clarkson's Farm. May's Pub.

[@joemunkey]

National treasure James May!

[@richardincm]

Pubs have always preserved some wonderful historic buildings, and made them accessible to us ordinary oiks, long may they survive ... and serve cloudy-cider, please !

[@cuebj]

Like George Harrison stepping in to sponsor Life of Brian because it sounded like a film he wanted to watch

[@garyduffy1193]

Legend

[@ryuhayabaker]

It's a good pub - went last year

[@joseferreira9263]

Dear MrJ May, I fortunately experienced that traditional pub philosophy:"drink, cozy food and warm place for "singles and sad married folks" in early 2000s.. indeed it's almost (start being at that time) gone.. and it's a shame . . Sadly it happened the same with my lovely Portuguese taberna (tasca's) where "our ales" (typical regional green wine) and snacks can't be truly appreciated anymore! PS: capitan slow still the same in the pub as in that gloriously geared car show. All the best 🍻

[@julianshepherd2038]

5 minutes later..... a new tv series about running a pub.

[@dpelpal]

Kinda like.... _running a farm?_

[@Tmuk2]

Yes please!

[@AH-xp5em]

I'd watch it!

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

@@dpelpal and I don't watch that, either.

[@captvalstrax]

The pub is where every great TTRPG adventure begins!

[@GoggiP]

Nice one James May.

[@thomaslewis5817]

i go to the george pub i sit down with my friends we eat some food replace a magic the gathering we generally relax and chill out for a few hours is great

[@alisamarhusain6341]

came for James stayed for his cat

[@user-od1dt3sd8h]

Not gonna lie, one of my favourite things about visiting England is the pub lunches, never knew eating at a pub was so contentious. I hardly ever drink beah.

[@jamesjones3371]

Will it stock hawkesmoore

[@TrevHutt]

James is a great guy!

[@barrydaly7174]

Some Successful, well run ,profitable and popular pubs Still shut if the brewery sees the land it is on as a quick Capital cash in.

[@soggybottom3463]

There is nothing like a decent pub...Cheers James x🤗🤗

[@jackiechan8840]

It would help if it wasn't £6 a pint everywhere

[@hb1338]

Should pub staff work for no money ?

[@jackiechan8840]

At £6 per pint they should all be driving Rolls Royces m8@@hb1338

[@dave-d]

Two pubs here. One untouched for 30 years and lovely. The other, under new owners, is like a nightmare in Barbie world. Hmmm, wonder were the locals are? James on point as usual.

[@AndrewRoberts11]

Have you been to Essex?

[@darren3854]

James may want is best beer

[@johntrott1872]

That’s a well fed cat

[@onmilo]

"Why did you buy that pub?" "Because it was there."

[@brickie59]

Pub’s all over the country are closing down, this is because who wants to pay the ridiculously high price they are charging. You can buy 4 pints of beer in the supermarkets for the price of 1 pint in a pub. You may as well invite your friends around and then go to there’s. At least you can choose your company.

[@hb1338]

Do you not believe in communities any more ?

[@cacwgm]

It has always been that way. As an impecunious student in the 80s, I mostly drank supermarket beer.

[@jimbobski4]

Ive been its a great pub to

[@TH-bp2cl]

I did the same thing and will visit his to see what its like

[@johnb5482]

But is Hawkstone on offer?

[@grahameanderson6913]

How much is a pint in James's pub?

[@ArrBee6]

Cheers

[@alzeNL]

[@AmIAntiAntianti]

Thanks for showing the same clip twice

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

that just means you get to watch it twice we call that a WIN - WIN

[@ShanesAutos]

Is that the cat Richard got James way back on Top Gear??

[@martynwarren3192]

How the British pub had changed??? I got a parking ticket in a pub car park. What’s going on there?

[@tatooinefarmboy]

good man

[@GrrMeister]

3:35 *Pubs surely buy Beer ect cheaper than sold retail at Supermarkets - if nor something seriously wrong !*

[@wofffefe6342]

Their rents are very high, private landlords own almost all the land pubs are on.

[@VickersDoorter]

One pub at least that won't spontaneously burst into flames, get rased by bulldozers the next day, then have flats built on it!

[@realJohnolee]

People can only be told for so long not to drink as it’s bad for you. Before it starts to have an affect on pins closing .

[@johnstirling6597]

What is the cats name?

[@sorryinadvance5362]

James May is English culture

[@zalandarr]

The thumbnail lol.

[@darthmarticusLFC]

Did you really start the video with a 5 second tease of a conversation that took place like 10 seconds later anyway

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

worked didnt it? dont fault the method if you cant fault the results :P

[@alfrede5453]

WTG JAMES

[@carltontweedle5724]

Remember do not drink all the profits.

[@Swetok.]

❤❤

[@Cycle9568]

Top Gear is now Top Pub!

[@jasonbarnesbefuddledprofessor]

Top Bloke 🍺

[@ratralfiofanov8386]

Look at the size of that cat 1:15

[@stevensarson482]

Strange , that in large cities a perfectly good pub can be empty and across the road a empty shop unit converts to a bar , with the minimum of effort , if not outlay and people flock to sit in the shop window drinking out of a bottle. Whilst , like pubs, there are good and bad ones, most are so obviously dross and overpriced. Time for real pubs to better and get rid of the smell of chip oil.

[@katlynklassen809]

This dude is based AF

[@moelSiabod14334]

Is it going to sell Mr Clarkson s beer ?

[@Alex-mj5dv]

It does already; and May’s gin

[@moelSiabod14334]

Good to hear , traditional old'e British pub,selling decent British beers, long may it continue.

[@mbalazs3544]

this was not a video about top bear, the Thumbnail was a lie

[@petermoller8337]

Because I’m rich😊

[@acidtechno]

lock in

[@Jlipnicki]

Pubs are becoming the preserve of the middle class, beer is now so expensive only the middle class can afford to use them regularly and if necessary buy them. They then cease to be pubs and are more like a club for a certain type who like the idea of a local pub but without really being one.

[@lotechtrucker]

No one seems to mention being TIME POOR,you are correct,only a certain group of people go out to pubs,and most of those are the ones who clogg up the motorways,all traveling at the SAME time!

[@danielw5850]

And which pub did you preserve? I'm rather bored with folk who look-on, spectators to people who DO, rather than whine.

[@Tourist1967]

Quite right, too. The English working class shouldn't be allowed near alcohol. Ask any city in Europe where an English team has played.

[@Jlipnicki]

@@danielw5850 Mate I have been using pubs since I was 15. I regularly drink in my favourite local, not once or twice a year or when it is fashionable. I cannot afford to buy one as I'm not a TV personality.

[@Jlipnicki]

@@Tourist1967 Wow, out and out prejudice against working class people. Pubs were created to serve the working class, beer was always a cheap beverage not supposed to be treated like fine wine. You think there are no unruly foreign football fans ?

[@pgr3290]

If it loses £20k a year he'll cope I'm sure lol

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

He's doing it in the hope of a TV series May's Pub, which will more than cover the costs. If that doesn't happen then he'll be trying to sell his share of the pub in a couple of years time.

[@richardharrold9736]

It's already been covered in several Drivetribe videos. He doesn't seem to have any desire to make an actual TV programme about the place. That would get in the way of it being an actual working pub.

[@22Epic]

20k is nothing for someone working, so for James May, he probably doesn't care either of such a small amount.

[@suckieduckie]

@@theworldaccordingto4555 Why do people always assume there is a catch rather than just a passion? Says more about you than May.

[@tonyclifton265]

sushi in a pub lol you'd get shot for that in my village.

[@TH-bp2cl]

Pubs provide a safe place for locals to meet, drink and talk face to face, they need protecting and supporting or they will disappear

[@EricNeedle]

James, hop on Tui, come to my town, Melbourne, FL and I'll show you round some thriving pubs. Take some good practices home. :)

[@Spohcsom]

James May buying multiple homes so he has country weekend retreats is one of the main reasons why pubs in local communities are being sold to developers. Also why local communities and pubs are being destroyed as locals are forced to move out due to soaring house prices fuelled by people like James May. Plus these localities becomes like ghost towns where they are only used for the wealthy for short breaks. James May and his ilk are one of the main causes of the demise of pubs and rural communities.

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Hmm, my super sensitive mind feels that you may (pun intended) not be a fan😊. So if JM hadn't moved to the area, this pub would've been doing great and be living on for "normal" people? I don't agree with your thought process, but we just differ in opinion.

[@suckieduckie]

And tell me, how many homes does James May have and how do you know where he is at all times? Because this comments smells like 'jealous of rich TV personality who is actually preserving a pub instead of closing it down'

[@Spohcsom]

@@suckieduckie He has a property portfolio like Hammond and Clarkson. He is investing in property. Preserving a pub is just his spin on it. He knows it doesn't look good when people from London come down and start buying multiple properties in rural villages. This practice ethnically cleanses local communities whereby the original community are forced to move out as people from London move in and buy up multiple properties for investments and weekend getaways. In the video May states that the house near the pub is his weekend getaway property.

[@osamabinsuparmann1205]

OK but why is he inside an attic

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

because its his attic? and he likes it there? and its where the cat is? did you even watch the video? THAT IS WHERE THE CAT IS.