17-April-2008 Morning Advertiser - HRH hobnobs with Cumbria hub
HRH The Prince of Wales is becoming something of a regular on the Cumbria pub circuit. His visit to the Black Swan at Ravenstonedale the other week followed an appearance last year at the Crown Hesket, Newmarket — both in support of Pub is the Hub.
Prince Charles' tour of the village shop and pub saw Hub director John Longden apologising to the Prince "for getting him into another pub before opening time!" Indeed, on this occasion HRH did not make his usual appearance behind the bar to test the real ales on offer, but contented himself with a cup of coffee instead.
Then it was a visit to family supermarket chain Booths at their store in nearby Kendal where the Prince met the local food and drink suppliers that have made the company famous in the north-west. Booths has secured a significant niche in the market for stocking probably the biggest portfolio of bottled beers from independent breweries anywhere in the UK. It remains to be seen whether the Prince's Duchy beer will find its way onto Booths' shelves before long.