Pub owner attracts customers with fake bus stop

A landlord in England has come up with an interesting way to make people “stop” at his pub.

After finding a discarded bus stop, John Hawkridge had the genius idea to prop it up outside of his establishment, the Gallipot Inn, with a flyer for the pub in place of the regular timetable, reports East Grimstead Courier.

Much to his surprise, customers began using the unofficial stop like an official one.

“A couple of customers started queuing up and the buses started stopping. We are now getting customers busing in from Tunbridge Wells and Crawley,” the Upper Hartfield resident said.

About two weeks ago, after taking notice of the new stop’s popularity, the local bus company gave him an official-looking bus sign.

It reads “Gallipot Stop: Free House, Coffee Shop and Tearoom.”

Although the bus stop is still technically unofficial, bus drivers are more than happy to ease on the brakes and let riders off if they’re in the mood for a beer.

“It’s just one of those silly things that has worked out so well.”

But what’s the next stop for the 70-year-old pub owner? Making it an official stop, of course.

The bus company agrees, and is asking East Sussex County Council for just that.

“For many years, buses have been stopped on request on a ‘hail and ride’ basis near the Gallipot Inn,” said Metrobus spokesperson Nick Hill. “And we have been asking the county council to install fixed stops to make it clearer to potential passengers that buses stop there.”

“Unfortunately, the council has been unable to do this. While the stop provided by the pub is welcome, it hasn’t been formally recognized by the council.”

Although the bus stop is not being recognized by the city, Hawkridge remains in good spirits

“We have good food, good drink – and now a good bus stop!” he said.