A HUDDERSFIELD pub is holding a Welsh Week.

The Grove in Springwood is celebrating St David’s Day – which is today – with a host of beers from the principality.

Licensee Ian Hayes said: “St Patrick’s Day gets a lot of attention, but we’ve decided to celebrate the patron saints of Wales, England and Scotland as well.”

Beers from Welsh breweries such as Brains, Breconshire, Conwy, Plassy and Purple Moose are on sale until next Wednesday and are selling very well, said Ian.

He and his wife Taya bought the Grove in 2006.

Unlike many pubs in Huddersfield it is doing well. Ian said: “Business is pretty good; it’s up on last year.

“The smoking ban hasn’t had much impact because most of our customers don’t smoke and those who do are happy to go outside.”

Ian believes pubs need to specialise to survive.

He said: “My advice is to do something that no-one else is doing. If you’re doing the same as everyone else you’re going to struggle.”

The Grove specialises in European beer.

Ian said: “We’re not your typical back-street boozer.

“We have 180 continental bottled beers and Czech, German and Belgian beer on tap.

The Grove also does an unusual line in bar snacks.

Ian said: “We sell crickets and larvae, which are very popular.

“The crickets can be flavoured with things like salt and vinegar.”

Ian added that he and his wife were lucky that they owned the pub rather than renting it.

He said: “If you’re thinking of leasing a pub you might as well go out to the car park and burn your money.

“It’ll be less stressful.”