London pub hosting 'don't be on your own day' at Christmas with free meals

People who are lonely on Christmas day can visit The Alexandra for a free meal, drinks and company
The Alexandra
Bonnie Christian16 December 2018

It is a festive gesture that sounds too good to be true but the managers of a Wimbledon pub insist there is no catch to the free Christmas day feasts they have been offering up each year since 2015.

“The only stipulation is that they’re on their own on Christmas day and fancy some company, along with (we hope) a few laughs,” reads a notice for Mick and Sarah Dore’s “Don’t be on your own day” at the Alexandra.

The couple, who have managed the 200-year-old pub for 10 years, started giving out free pints eight years ago to people spending Christmas on their own.

“One year a retired naval guy came in and we had a couple of pints, he was a lovely bloke and I invited him to our dinner we have for our staff,” Mr Dore said.

“He said he had somewhere else to be but, of course, he didn't.”

The Alexandra pub in Wimbledon hosts a free Christmas lunch each year for people who are on their own on the day.
The Alexandra

When the pub's kitchen doubled in size three years ago, Mr Dore and his wife decided to start offering free three course meals to anyone who did not want to spend Christmas Day alone.

“People think that there’s some kind of catch or a fiddle, like we’re trying to get their emails, but that’s not the point,” Mr Dore said “I don’t care if they decide to never come back.”

Last year, 62 meals were served to older people, families, people who were new to London, or even those who had simply missed their train to go home for Christmas.

As word has spread, Mr Dore said the spirit of the day has expanded beyond the walls of the pub.

He often has to field requests from people or companies who want to sponsor the day, but he instead prefers accepting donations of food or gifts from neighbours and the local shops.

“We have loads of food and beer that is donated,” he said.

“There are ladies who make chutney, last year someone brought me a bag of potatoes, little kids from the school around the corner make biscuits.

“Some people bring in vouchers for the supermarket, companies who we buy off all the time give us good deals, the local Waitrose supports us and even Waterstones helps out as well for our Secret Santa.

“It's as much as people giving the stuff as it is people getting. We even get loads of people come in to volunteer their time wrapping Christmas presents and waiting on people.

“Its a real community coming together.”

Surprisingly, Mr Dore said he has not yet experienced anyone taking advantage of the free meals and drinks on offer.

“They just haven’t, they have always been nice, genuine people,” he said.

“You think it's going to happen a lot but I think that’s overstated.”

Mr Dore said he does not mind giving up his own Christmas Day to host the event and he hoped this year that the pub would welcome at least 100 people.

“Its awesome, the busier it is, the better it is, it is such a good day,” he said.

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