Popular pub owner and new Freedom of Derby recipient Steve Kirk has told how he was left “emotionally devastated” when the coronavirus pandemic forced pubs to close. Mr Kirk was officially presented with the Freedom of Derby award at a special ceremony at Derby City Council headquarters in front of friends and family on Monday (July 22) after years of dedication to charities and vulnerable people in the city.
The Neptune landlord joins the late Brian Clough, Reg Harrison, Adam Peaty and Sandy Ryan in receiving the civic honour for his “exceptional” fundraising efforts. He was nominated for the honour earlier this year by independent councillor Phil Ingall and then-council leader Baggy Shanker.
Mr Kirk, who has run the pub in Derby city centre for 27 years, was nominated for the honour after raising more than £120,000 for the Royal British Legion to support the national poppy campaign over many years – more than any other pub owner in the UK.
Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone
It is said that Mr Kirk will be opening his pub on Christmas Day and inviting vulnerable people for a free hot meal and to enjoy the festivities with him.
After the ceremony, Mr. Kirk told guests how he was “over the moon” to be nominated and appreciated the gesture. And when interviewed, he said he felt overwhelmed that a “Joe Bloggs” had achieved something so special.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It feels incredible and unbelievable. I’m proud to be from Derby and I love living here, so to get something like this is the pinnacle of what I could ever have dreamed of and recognition of what we do.
“What makes it even more special is that the names that have received this before are athletes. I’m Joe Bloggs – a nobody in my own right – and it’s amazing. It’s fantastic for the pub and the whole team that helps us achieve what we do.”
Mr Kirk was asked how his life was affected when pubs were forced to close during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and how much pressure it put on the business. He said he had nothing to do for months and that helping out at Derby Arena for the local vaccination programme was his “saviour”.
He said: “When it first came on TV and Boris (Johnson) said stay at home, pubs would be closed – I had to go because I was emotionally devastated. I just couldn’t cope with it, I burst into tears – I never closed, not even on Christmas Day.
“When I was told to close, it felt like I was hit with a sledgehammer, and when we closed, it was a nightmare because I was stuck alone with nothing to do.
“I helped out at the vaccination center, which was a lifesaver for the spirit. But we have recovered from covid and we are doing well now.”
Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Mr Kirk, you may feel that your name does not belong on that Freedom of Derby list, but your contributions to Derby, which have been nothing short of extraordinary, belie my belief.
“Your dedication, passion and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on our community. Not only have you raised more money for the British Legion than any other pub in the UK, but it’s gestures like serving hot meals on Christmas Day to those in need of company, a meal and some Christmas cheer that make this award so worthwhile.”
Good friend and well-known Derby businessman Don Amott was in attendance. He said: “Steve is a really good friend of mine – I’ve known him for a long time. It’s such an honour for him, he’s just a normal, hard-working guy. I don’t think people realise what he does for the city.”
Derby Mayor Councillor Ged Potter added: “I’ve known Steve for a long time – he’s not just a pub owner but someone who goes above and beyond what others want and encourages others to do the same. He has the ability to achieve things that others couldn’t.”
We’ll email you the biggest stories every day. Sign up here for the main Derbyshire Live newsletter.