Pub becomes the first in Britain to put up a Christmas tree as Tesco is already selling festival sweets… in AUGUST
- The Air Balloon in South Gloucestershire is the first British pub in festive spirits
- Landlady Joanne Johnson said the tree was put behind the bar last Thursday
- Snow-themed Heroes and Quality Street have also been spotted in supermarkets
- Have you seen any early signs of Christmas? Email faith.ridler@mailonline.co.uk
A pub has become the first in Britain to put its Christmas tree up – in the middle of August.
Boxes of winter-themed Heroes and Quality Street have also been spotted piled high in Tesco supermarkets four months before the festive season.
But the Air Balloon pub in Filton, South Gloucestershire has gone the extra step – and put up a Christmas tree in 70F (21C) heat last Thursday.
The Air Balloon pub in Filton, South Gloucestershire (pictured) has become the first in Britain to get in the festive spirit – putting their Christmas tree up four months early
Landlady Joanne Johnson said the tree (pictured), which sits behind the bar, usually goes up a month earlier in July
Festive lights are now flashing brightly on the tree which stands beside the bar at the popular pub.
The faux tree is decorated with gold and silver baubles – and already surrounded by brightly coloured presents.
Landlady Joanne Johnson said the tree was actually put up a month late this year because of the World Cup.
She said: ‘I don’t really do it for the purpose of decorating the pub, it’s more for advertising – to let people know that we’ve started taking Christmas dinner bookings.
‘We’ve had quite a few bookings come in already, in the last week since it’s been up.
Festive-themed boxes of Heroes (pictured at the Willow Brook Centre store in Bristol) and Quality Street have also been spotted already piling high in Tesco supermarkets
Ms Johnson said putting up the tree early helps with holiday bookings – which lagged the year she didn’t decorate the pub until later (Pictured, Tesco Extra at Willow Brook Centre in Bristol)
‘Last year I put up the tree in July. I delayed it a bit this year because of the World Cup – but I did have some regulars saying to me, “It’s late this year”.’
Ms Johnson, who has been working at the Air Balloon for three years, said Christmas bookings suffer when the tree is put up late.
She said: ‘This year will be my third Christmas here, and the first year I didn’t put it up until quite late in the year – and we didn’t get as many bookings.
‘So it’s more for advertising. I understand that some people will come in and don’t really appreciate seeing a tree up and so on.
‘But most people enjoy it and some even have a jokey sing-song.’
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