Drakeford not welcome in 90 pubs, says group

A pub watch group says Mark Drakeford will never be welcome in its establishments

As Mark Drakeford steps away from frontline politics, he has been told he is not welcome in 90 pubs in Conwy.

It comes after one in Ceredigion held a happy hour when he announced his decision to resign as first minister earlier this week after five years at the helm of Welsh Labour.

During the Covid pandemic in 2020, Mr Drakeford said the virus was spreading in hospitality and brought in strict restrictions, such as banning the sale of alcohol.

He said it was to stop unnecessary deaths, while some landlords described it as a devastating blow.

Phil Ashe, chairman of Llandudno Pub Watch and vice-chairman of West Conwy Pub Watch, said Mr Drakeford would struggle to get a pint in Conwy after stepping back from frontline politics, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: “Mark Drakeford is not welcome in our pubs, and he never will be because of the damage he caused all the pubs during the pandemic.

“We currently have 90 odd members, and Mark Drakeford is still barred.

“Most pubs and businesses are still struggling because of him.”

Mark Drakeford's Covid restrictions left him unpopular with pub landlords in Conwy

He added they were all “extremely happy” he resigned.

“We just seemed to be a punching bag for all his policies, and since we’ve come out of Covid, he has done nothing to help the businesses recover, and now going into a cost-of-living crisis, he goes and puts a 20mph speed limit in place, which has caused massive problems for our industry,” he said.

Meanwhile a pub in Ceredigion, whose previous owners were fined for breaking Covid rules, hosted a celebration evening after Mr Drakeford announced he was stepping down.

The Black Lion Hotel in Aberaeron posted on social media: "Happy Hour tonight.

“To celebrate the welcomed resignation of Drakeford, we are celebrating with a Happy Hour tonight."

The Black Lion Hotel in Aberaeron was fined £1,000 for breaching the restrictions

In 2020, under different owners, the Black Lion was issued a £1,000 fine for breaching Covid rules, supplying alcohol and remaining open when prohibited under regulations.

The new owners, in place since 2022, have been contacted for comment.

The Welsh government declined to comment.