Sadly, I feel the profits will still roll in via the Plough tills whether the folkies are there or not during folk week.
Folkies are not the only ones on holiday in Whitby that week - there are tourists in abundance.
Many of them wish to sit and drink in a pub without the cramped space and noise of a session or singaround (I must point out that I'm NOT one of those that wishes this)
There have always been pubs in Whitby that actively discourage any folkie invasion - the Granby for example.
Such places are havens for those wanting to avoid the 'racket' (as they see it).
The Plough will no doubt fill up with day trippers and those holidaying that week that are NOT there for the folk.
I've heard some bar staff/landlords (both in Whitby and in other places) say that because folkies sit and play or sing, fewer pints may possibly be consumed per hour.
I believe they take more money over the bar in Regatta week, for example, where those there just get on drinking and there's no music to slow things down.
I'm actually afraid that their takings may NOT suffer.
I'm not very good at expressing myself clearly, I do hope you understand where I'm coming from.
I've sung in the Plough many a time - and will miss it.
I'll not be buying any Sam Smiths ale anywhere from now on. It's all I can do.