Horse-riders among first customers as pub outside Midhurst sets up unique drive-thru service for burgers, beer and ice cream

Mat Rawlins, one of the new owners at The Royal Oak in West Lavington, said the service — ‘the first in the area’ — is the pub’s own version of Mcdonald’s druve-thru.

He said: “The pub has fast been establishing itself as a hub for the community in Midhurst. A real positive considering the current climate. Since Covid has taken over everything we have been working closely with the Midhurst Angels and the local community to make sure our customers, particularly our older residents, have been getting fed. Aside from our discounted food we have decided to launch a drive-thru. The demand for drive-thru burgers seems to have gone through the roof, with queues outside the Chichester McDonald’s stretching up the bypass. We thought with the space we have we would offer a more ‘local’ version.” Mat said the unique service, named The Pit Stop, opened to ‘great success’ and is open on Thursdays through to Sundays, 1pm to 8pm. Mat revealed the idea came from his time working with the ‘old Top Gear crew and Goodwood’. He said horse and motorbike riders have been among the ‘special customers’ so far. He continued: “Obviously most pubs are struggling with the lockdown rules so we came up with the idea of opening a drive-thru [which] has allowed our customers to experience a ‘local’ style and avoid the long queues at McDonald’s. We offer a themed menu with burgers such as the Hambourgini, Pork 911 and the Mersoydes (our veggie option).”