Features / Coronation
What do people at the Coronation think about the King’s Coronation?
Whether you’re a royalist, anti-monarchy or indifferent, there’s simply no escaping it; the King’s Coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6 with an array of celebrations taking place throughout the country.
In the hopes of better understanding the consensus of how both staff and customers are feeling about the event, Bristol24/7 headed to the Coronation pub in Southville.
The Dean Lane establishment is a cosy, welcoming tavern, with walls lined with eye-catching, colourful paintings and a purring cat lazing near the bar.
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It will be hosting a street party on May 6, but it’s not clear if the two events are related.
The Coronation, Southville, not to be confused with the Coronation – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Owner, Ben Cheshire, said the pub has been the subject of confusion over where its allegiance lies. Pro-Royalist, anti-Royalist, somewhere in-between?
The answer, it turns out, lies somewhere in the indifferent category.
“We decided to have the party on Coronation weekend,” said Ben.
“This is nothing to do with the pub being a royalist pub. We’re not anti-royalist either, it’s just the perfect time to have a street party”.
The pub’s name, however, may provide a connection to the royals, albeit a loose one.
“As far as I know, it’s always been called the Coronation,” Ben told Bristol24/7.
“I’m not sure where the name comes from, it could have got its name from Queen Victoria.”
The Coronation’s customers were also keen to voice their opinions on the upcoming celebrations as well as the place of the monarchy in contemporary Britain.
Perspectives ranged from indifference all the way to outright negativity.
Trefor Patten, a regular at the Coronation, offered a more neutral perspective: “I’d probably describe myself as indifferent, however it’s no coincidence that on the day, I’ll actually be in France.”
Regular, Trefor Patten, at the Coronation – photo: Jude Pearcey
Offering a more anti royalist stance, Peter Davey, another Coronation punter said: “I couldn’t care less really. It’s just an excuse to spend the tax-payers’ money on a party we don’t need”
“It’s great for trade though,” he added.
The Coronation’s street party will offer a variety of food, drink, and entertainment, with stalls selling Latin-American food, an outside bar selling cider slush and cocktails, a samba band, three more live music acts and even a silent disco.
The Coronation pub is set to begin its street party on Saturday May 6 at midday. Entry is free.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- Cinema to host ‘anti-street-party’ coronation event
- A-z Bristol pub crawl: The Coronation, Southville
- Meet the Bristol tiktoker bringing royal fashion to life
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