'I'm going to down a pint in all 650 UK constituencies - it could take 20 years'
Jay Chan wants to raise the profile of the UK pub industry by downing a pint in all 650 parliamentary constituencies - but it could take some time.
An 18-year-old beer lover plans to down a pint in all 650 UK Parliamentary constituencies - and isn't put off by the fact the challenge could take two decades to complete.
Jay Chan, from Birmingham, previously worked for ex-Tory MP for Dudley North Marco Longhi, who lost his seat at the July 4 General Election during a Labour landslide.
He is looking to find another job in politics as soon as possible, but has also embarked on this ambitious mission in a bid to highlight the plight of Britain's pub industry - and has launched a GoFundMe to help him on his way, so far raising £240.
He predicts that he will spend more than £3,000 booze alone, and admits: “I think it will take me a very, very long time – especially doing all the rural constituencies.
“I can't drink and drive – obviously – and the trains aren’t as efficient out there.”
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Jay is calling for the 20 per cent rate of VAT charged on food and drinks in pubs to be scrapped and local heritage pubs to be supported in gaining listed status.
He said: “The pub brings communities together.
“They have been here since the Roman times, and it’s sad to see them in decline.
“When people think about Britain they think about big ben, the king, the Union Jack – but after that the comes the pub, and the pints and the people enjoying them – it's vital we protect them.”
If Jay is to complete his challenge, he will be forking out at £3,055 - if he consumes just one pint per constituency.
But he says the cost of getting to all of them is far higher than he imagined.
He has so far completed every constituency in Brimingham except Hodgehill in the city centre and hopes to complete "most of the West Midlands" in the coming months.
"I'm thinking of doing Wolverhampton, Walsall, or West Brom next.
He says his "very rough" plan is to "work his way out from Birmingham".
"It helps if it's easy to get to by train or by bike, I'm not sure how I'll manage when I have to go to London - especially as pint there are so expensive!"
Videos of Jay frequenting pubs have racked up thousands of views online and he has gained a reputation for his pint downing abilities.
He said: “In the meantime I’m continuing with my challenge, I’ve got time on my side, it could take 20 years but I’ll keep going.”
Last weekend he crossed off Dudley and Tipton and Wednesbury – all in the West Midlands. He says he is most looking forward to sinking pints in Northern Ireland, home to 18 different constituencies but his favourite pub is the Hop Garden in Birmingham.
Despite working for a former Tory MP, Jay has tried to bridge the political divide in his campaign, highlighting pints as being able to “unite people regardless of political differences”.
