Hamble pub hiding ducks to bring in new customers

Janet Bradley, who has run the King and Queen pub in Hamble for the last 16 years, says pubs in the village are all massively struggling.

“At least we got some help in Covid, but nobody is helping us now,” she said.

But being determined not to twiddle her thumbs during the slow trade, which she says is the worst it has been for 16 years, she decided to take a stand.

By chance, her eyes fell on a big bag of tiny ducks that she had previously bought for a charity water race.

READ MORE: Residents split over new plan to turn riverside restaurant into houses

“I just had the idea, what if I hide them and put a little label around each one’s neck with a number on it?”

Janet knew she had to get creative to drive people to the pub. (Image: Janet Bradley) Janet grabbed the ducks and went on a dog walk, where she decided to hide five around Hamble for lucky customers to find.

If someone spots a duck, they can take it into the King and Queen to return it for a prize, with each number winning something different from the list.

One lucky family won a whole roast chicken, while another got two free fish and chips dishes for lunch, and a third left with hot drinks for up to five people.

READ MORE: Pensioner slams 'horrifying' plan for 500 student flats near home

Janet knows that she cannot ‘sit there and do nothing,’ believing that being ‘inventive’ is by far the best way to drive new customers in.

The entrance to the King and Queen pub in Hamble. (Image: The King and Queen Pub) “People come in with their duck, have their free thing and maybe they’ll have something else,” Janet said.

“Or maybe they’ve never been before, so it gives people a nice warm welcome.

“All of hospitality terribly suffers with the fear of new costs and just not having enough trade, we all need more trade. We can’t all pay our costs.

"It’s not just me, but all the pubs at Hamble are asking what they can do to save their business."

‘Everyone watches where I walk now’

Janet says that while she is away for the next two weeks, her staff will be putting out five more ducks this weekend.

Only one remains from the first batch that was put out last week.

Inside the rustic Hamble pub. (Image: The King and Queen Pub) “I had loads of new people coming on Sunday saying they loved our ducks,” Janet said.

“I’ve had workers from the council say that they know I hide them when I walk my dog, so they said they’re going to follow me to the parks.

“People beg for hints, everyone watches where I walk now, it’s a good bit of fun.

"Some ideas work, some don’t, but it’s always worth a try and I think this one has definitely worked.”