With pub-goers crowded around a TV with a pint in hand at this time of year, you might expect to see them watching the Six Nations, or the tense closing matches of the Premier League. Not so any more.
Given that coronavirus has cancelled or postponed many events in the sporting world, one pub has shaken up their viewing schedule.
The World’s End, in Finsbury Park, attracted some Twitter attention over the weekend when a fan posted a notice board outside the pub saying that it will be showing Bargain Hunt, Midsomer Murders, and Catchphrase instead of sport. Adding that Sunday’s programme would include Countryfile, Coronation Street Omnibus and Songs of Praise, the pub also added: “Keep smiling!”
Finsbury Park pic.twitter.com/RSKxGQ5Pl2
— Dorian Lynskey (@Dorianlynskey) March 14, 2020
The post got over 180 retweets with over 900 likes, and attracted comments from people who were amused by the sign.
One user, Steve Smith, commented: “I’m looking forward to people belting out ‘There’s only one John Craven’ and ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’”.
Another comment from Mike Stafford read: “Really looking forward to hyper-masculine brawls between fans of green peppers and red tomatoes at 4.30.”
“I liked the English stoicism and deadpan humour”
Dorian Lynskey, the journalist and author who posted the tweet, told Islington Now: “I walk past The World’s End every day and occasionally drink there. The sign went up on Saturday, when there was no advice to close pubs, restaurants or other venues yet.
“I liked the English stoicism and deadpan humour and read it as black comedy to amuse passers-by rather than an effort to bring in the punters to watch Bargain Hunt.
“Now we’ve entered a different phase, the sign is gone, Finsbury Park is shutting down and I expect pubs to be officially closed any day now. The joke has expired. It’s an example of how quickly things have changed. We’ve pretty much gone from no sports to no anything in three days.
Greene King has declined to comment.
