Save The Caxton Arms
Donation protected
The Caxton Arms is a wonderful pub, in the heart of Brighton, the home of the infamous substantial meal spoof ale, and owned by Landlord Brett Mendoza. In the 3 years he has owned the Caxton, the pub has turned into a thriving community pub of which he was really proud of.
With COVID kicking in, during 2020, Brett has only been able to trade for 10 out of 52 weeks with no restrictions. 4 of those were the notoriously bad January and 2 weeks were when Boris told us not to go out, but pubs had to stay open. There was no financial support if they closed during this time.
Whilst hospitality was allowed to reopen after lockdown on 4th July, restrictions took their toll, and Tier 2 meant that trade was down 65%, meaning that breaking even was a success, but realistically meant losing money every week. However, if this meant The Caxton would continue to trade, Brett knew that breaking even was what he had to accept.
Breaking even however, was soon jeopardised as the City was plunged into Tier 4, in one of the industries most lucrative periods, which meant, once again, Brett has had to close the doors to his beloved pub. Operating costs whilst closed, are costing around £750 a week. The government grant he receives is £350 a week. This is just not sustainable.
The support for this industry is so insufficient that it means, Brett faces the stark reality of giving up his once thriving pub, his dream job, whilst also facing the ordeal of having to make his staff permanently redundant, and sadly joining one of the 2600 pubs that closed for good in 2020.
He walks away from his livelihood, his dreams and everything he has built up over the past few years, or he risks losing his family home in order to avoid creditors and mounting debts.
Now whilst this sounds like an all familiar story these days, behind these stories are people. Brett, is one of the kindest, positive, and giving people you could meet. He would do anything to help out someone in need, would give his time, a shoulder of support, and a place to go, should anyone need it. Brett also puts his heart and soul into supporting his local community. As the Vice Chairman of The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund, he has coordinated, and held many fund raising events to raise money for distribution to local charities and causes that need support, and also holds The Martlets charity very close to his heart for whom he has participated in the grueling Brighton to Paris, Brighton to Amsterdam Bike rides, to name but a few. Brett has raised a staggering £67,000 for others, out the goodness of his heart.
Brett has tried a few things over the past few months to try and raise some funds, including a voucher scheme which helped back in the last lockdown, and he doesn't feel he can ask people to part with more money, but I know there are many many people out there who wouldn't want to see The Caxton Arms fall victim to these awful times.
Now is the time for us as a community, to give something back to Brett, and raise enough money so that The Caxton Arms can be supported whilst dormant, so that when the time comes, the pub will thrive once again, and Brett can continue to do what he does best........... making people smile!
Please please please help us support Brett and The Caxton Arms!
Picture Credit : The Argus, Harry Bullmore 30.11.20
With COVID kicking in, during 2020, Brett has only been able to trade for 10 out of 52 weeks with no restrictions. 4 of those were the notoriously bad January and 2 weeks were when Boris told us not to go out, but pubs had to stay open. There was no financial support if they closed during this time.
Whilst hospitality was allowed to reopen after lockdown on 4th July, restrictions took their toll, and Tier 2 meant that trade was down 65%, meaning that breaking even was a success, but realistically meant losing money every week. However, if this meant The Caxton would continue to trade, Brett knew that breaking even was what he had to accept.
Breaking even however, was soon jeopardised as the City was plunged into Tier 4, in one of the industries most lucrative periods, which meant, once again, Brett has had to close the doors to his beloved pub. Operating costs whilst closed, are costing around £750 a week. The government grant he receives is £350 a week. This is just not sustainable.
The support for this industry is so insufficient that it means, Brett faces the stark reality of giving up his once thriving pub, his dream job, whilst also facing the ordeal of having to make his staff permanently redundant, and sadly joining one of the 2600 pubs that closed for good in 2020.
He walks away from his livelihood, his dreams and everything he has built up over the past few years, or he risks losing his family home in order to avoid creditors and mounting debts.
Now whilst this sounds like an all familiar story these days, behind these stories are people. Brett, is one of the kindest, positive, and giving people you could meet. He would do anything to help out someone in need, would give his time, a shoulder of support, and a place to go, should anyone need it. Brett also puts his heart and soul into supporting his local community. As the Vice Chairman of The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund, he has coordinated, and held many fund raising events to raise money for distribution to local charities and causes that need support, and also holds The Martlets charity very close to his heart for whom he has participated in the grueling Brighton to Paris, Brighton to Amsterdam Bike rides, to name but a few. Brett has raised a staggering £67,000 for others, out the goodness of his heart.
Brett has tried a few things over the past few months to try and raise some funds, including a voucher scheme which helped back in the last lockdown, and he doesn't feel he can ask people to part with more money, but I know there are many many people out there who wouldn't want to see The Caxton Arms fall victim to these awful times.
Now is the time for us as a community, to give something back to Brett, and raise enough money so that The Caxton Arms can be supported whilst dormant, so that when the time comes, the pub will thrive once again, and Brett can continue to do what he does best........... making people smile!
Please please please help us support Brett and The Caxton Arms!
Picture Credit : The Argus, Harry Bullmore 30.11.20Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Winstone
Organizer
Brett Meñdozâ
Beneficiary