Exactly what i was going to ask.
The Thumb sent out a newsletter to shareholders this week (after Amazon's comment by coincidence).
There isn't minute detail of the financials, but to quote from the opening paragraph: "Our sales figures are above what the pub was doing last year for the same period, which really is a fantastic start!"
I am going to assume the period they're comparing did not include after the pub's closure
![Wink ;)](https://www.marple-uk.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
As also mentioned by Amazon, the owners of the Spring Gardens (and of Fool Hardy ales and of the Hope Inn) were a couple.
As they stated on Twitter and Facebook in January:
"Yes, me & Sam have split up, the reason for this post is because I am already fed up of hearing rumours! We will still be working together for the sake of the business and staying friends! On that cheery note, happy new year!"
https://twitter.com/foolhardyales/status/948640989543092226Maybe that's a factor. Maybe it's not. It happened quite soon after the split - maybe that's a factor. Who knows? Well, someone does but it's not me.
I do severely doubt it's related to the Thumb. The two pubs co-existed previously, and sensible heads wouldn't make rash judgements on sales based on the latter re-opening for a relatively short period of time.