Former Melton landlady’s virtual pub has 20,000 regulars across the world

When former Melton pub landlady Jo Bowtell decided she wanted to help her old regulars stay in touch during the Covid-19 isolation period she had no idea that the resulting Facebook page would take off so quickly and connect more than 20,000 people from across the world.
The Virtual Pub founder Jo Bowtell with partner Dave Patridge and children Wilf and Connie EMN-200804-130323001The Virtual Pub founder Jo Bowtell with partner Dave Patridge and children Wilf and Connie EMN-200804-130323001
The Virtual Pub founder Jo Bowtell with partner Dave Patridge and children Wilf and Connie EMN-200804-130323001

The Virtual Pub is run just like a normal local, with Jo opening the doors at 11am and scheduling a timetable of entertainment for her global regulars featuring live music, comedy gigs, quizzes and people giving tips on everything from baking and fitness to how to make a cocktail.

She ran the Noel’s Arms for four years before leaving in 2017 to start a family but many of her old customers play an important role in the venture, including acting as ‘bar staff’ and helping to entertain the legions of followers, who log in from as far afield as Australia, South Africa and the USA.

Jo told the Melton Times: “It started as a little idea and it’s gone beyond my wildest expectations.

Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181622001Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181622001
Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181622001

“The idea came purely out of stress. I had spent two weeks watching the news, getting anxious about it all and worried about my parents and their health.

“I eventually realised that people needed to connect more.

“It was very slow to catch on to start with and when I opened the doors we had about 30 people viewing by the end of the night.

“Then I witnessed something quite magical because people who might have been stood around in my old bar were talking to each other again and they were also talking to others they may not normally have spoken to.

Live music being played on The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181602001Live music being played on The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181602001
Live music being played on The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181602001

“We now have over 20,000 regulars in my virtual pub which is amazing.”

The online pub is also providing a lifeline for people who are having to isolate on their own. Many have raised a glass and sent their photos in to the pub to show how much it means to them.

“I had a lady from Liverpool contact me the other day,” said Jo, who is 40.

“She said to me ‘I’m so grateful to you for setting this up. I’m self-isolating for 12 weeks and I recently got divorced so this is really helping me’.

Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181612001Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181612001
Some of the regulars in The Virtual Pub Facebook group EMN-200804-181612001

“Every morning I open the doors at 11am and I look to see who’s viewing and where they are from.

“This morning we had someone from Cape Town, another from Melbourne and loads in the United States.

“It has gone global - even when I hear myself saying this I still can’t quite believe what has happened.”

Jo took over the Noel’s Arms in April 2013 after being a regular for many years - she succeeded popular landlady Janet Ling, who retired after reaching 75.

She ran it with ex-partner Craig Langan and maintained its reputation as a live music venue.

Jo, who has since moved to Derby to be with partner Dave Partridge, recalled: “I loved that pub. It was not everybody’s idea of a dream pub but it was for me.”

Jo is juggling running her virtual pub with looking after children Wilf and Connie.

She has a blackboard in her kitchen where each day’s scheduled timetable of entertainment is written up.

Jo added: “I would like to keep it going when restrictions are lifted but I also want to encourage people back into the pubs when they are allowed to go again. “I’m just bridging the gap. A lot of people will realise the value of pubs when this is all over.”

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