And finally… nice and easy does it

Shout out to Hull City Council, which ha again published its Low Ale Trail guide for the festive period, showing punters where to find low- and no-alcohol drink options around the city centre

This handy piece of work has to be a help to the many of us who don’t drink or have decided for a whole host of reasons to scale things back a bit, particularly if things have got a bit heavy in the Christmas build-up. Got to be a good thing – you can find the full map and list of venues on the council’s socials.

The Low Ale Trail originally launched in 2019 and expanded in 2021 to include separate trails on the Avenues and in the city’s theatre quarter – taking the total of venues across the city to 35.

Every venue on the trail is required to offer a selection of alcohol-free drinks, including beers, mocktails and spirits. Many also offer food, live music and other entertainment.

Cllr Linda Chambers, portfolio holder for public health, said: “More and more people are choosing very low and no alcohol options – the huge growth in availability of these drinks is testament to that. The Low Ale Trail is fantastic for organising a night out that suits everyone, there’s a great variety of venues on it, from newer bars specialising in cocktails, to Old Town pubs that have been there for more than a century.

“We know many people want to drink less, and this is a great way to incorporate that decision without missing out. You can still enjoy the social experience and the taste – you just lose the alcohol and the hangover. You can also drive home without worrying about finding a taxi!”