Publican House Brew Pub TRF Success Story

PKED caught up with Publican House Brew Pub located in Peterborough, Ontario to talk about how they are using the Tourism Resiliency Fund to help their business through recovery from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Here’s how the Publican House has been providing a great indoor and outdoor experience for guests during the pandemic.

1. Where did the idea/concept for your business come from?

The Publican House Brewery was established in 2008 as an opportunity to enter the Ontario craft beer market, and build upon the tradition of brewing excellence in Peterborough. In 2017, the Publican House Brew Pub was opened, allowing guests to enjoy all of our brews in our restored 170+ ‘House’, while focusing our menu on local ingredients.

2. What has it been like navigating the pandemic with your business?

In a word: ever-changing. That’s one word, right?  We have been doing our best to ‘roll with the punches’ of all of the changes that have been put in place by the different levels of government. While it has been exhausting at times, we are trying to find ways to keep our staff and customers excited and engaged, as we look forward to reopening under more ‘normal’ circumstances.

3. What will you be using the TRF funding towards?

We have installed radiant heaters on our patio, which will allow for extending our season for our beloved outdoor space, and provide guests with greater outdoor capacity in a time when outdoor dining is favoured by many.

4. What are your hopes for the business in the next few years?

Our hope is to return to the days of guests filling the patio, bar and restaurant, to enjoy live music, or celebrate their events with us without restrictions.

5. What is it like owning a business in Peterborough & the Kawarthas?

We truly get to operate in one of the best communities there is. Our customers are our cheerleaders, and what keeps us moving forward to find new opportunities and to continually look for ways to improve our business. There are so many active supporting organizations that partner with us as well – Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, PKED, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Peterborough (just to name a few!). We get to be in a city that feels like a town – with the amenities and diversity of a big city, while also having parks, lakes within and around, and being minutes to cottage country.  And of course, for us, all of the local farmers and producers we have in our region only makes what we do better!  

6. What makes your business unique to our region?

We produce quality, award-winning craft beers, which we also serve in our brewpub where we produce quality food and use many local ingredients. We also provide space to host groups for all sorts of events in our restored, historic house, which is surrounded by one of the best patios in town.

7. What is your favourite thing about living and working in Peterborough & the Kawarthas?

We think the word that sums it up best is community. It’s simply the best.

PKED is profiling several tourism-dependent businesses that were successful in receiving Tourism Resiliency Funding to support costs associated with adapting to public health measures and safety reopening, which will support the tourism industry’s recovery in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.