First launched in October 2020, as the hospitality industry looked for new ways to cater for the 'new-normal', the Virgins and Castle's 'pub desk' offer continues to be a success.

Available Monday to Friday, customers can book themselves a seat at the town's oldest pub from 9am to 5pm and turn the High Street venue into their office for the day.

We were invited for a day of pub desking earlier this week. Having not known quite what to expect, it was in fact a very productive and, most of all, enjoyable day.

Most obviously the day gave some much-needed respite from homeworking. Writing news from the confines of a spare room, whilst convenient, is not always the most invigorating experience, so sitting in the comfortable and relaxing surroundings of the V&C was a welcome break.

Throughout the day staff regularly came to check on me, and frankly could not do enough to make sure I was comfortable and well looked after.

Whilst there were only three pub deskers on the day, we were all sat apart with our own space, meaning that there was no conflict about the volume of meetings, nor interruption from a fellow customers' phone call.

And we were also sat away from the rest of the punters. 

True the noise did pick up a bit during lunch, but it was not a distraction - you could hardly expect a pub to be completely silent for the duration of an entire working day!

The Virgins and Castle first launched its pub desk offer in October 2020

Included in the offer is unlimited tea and coffee which in itself presents its own little challenge in trying to make the £15 asking fee back in caffeine alone.

Lunch is also included in the deal.

Customers can choose from a variety of sandwiches on white or brown bread, all of which come with a side of chips, fries, salad or soup of the day.

I opted for a chicken and bacon sandwich with chips. And as you would expect from the Virgins & Castle, it was a well presented, generous portion that was very tasty. 

Most importantly, the day proved to be a productive one - I even managed to finish early!

And all the basic things that could make or break a day in the office were thought of - fast wifi, easy access to plug sockets and a nicely air-conditioned room on a hot summer day.

Pub desks can be booked for individuals or for groups

Whilst I was pub desking alone, the V&C also welcomes groups to book a pub desk together. This would be ideal for a day of meetings, or just as a more relaxed day out for the office.

And at the other end of the spectrum you can ask to be put in a quiet corner, if it is a day of meetings in store.

Pub desking is also available at the V&C's sister venue in Warwick, No.34 Garden and Grill. So if you really fancied a change of scene, you could make the short trip down the road to change things up.

So for anybody wondering whether the pub desks are for them, I would definitely recommend it.

And given that my fellow customers on the day said they would return, and that staff told me they have a number of regulars, the pub desk offer is clearly a popular one.

To find out more, click here.