Upgrades are on the menu

THE social hubs of our communities – cafes, restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars – are very keen to open again.

Many have been providing a takeaway service but their venues have sadly remained empty shells because of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Some will re-open this weekend as an easing of controls will allow 10 patrons at a time for dining only with the usual safe distancing requirements in place such as 1.5m apart from other people.

For smaller venues it can be handled quite well with fewer staff and a limited number of settings that change every hour or so to maintain turnover.

For bigger premises with larger kitchens and staff it will not be worth opening until numbers can increase to 20 from June 12 and then 100 from July 10.

There is still no decision when bars and gaming can resume.

Some operators are unsure if alcohol can be served with meals and this could be a factor in re-opening to add to the profit margins on top of food alone.

They are also worried that, after two months or more of getting used to socialising at home and buying takeaway alcohol, whether their former patrons will bother returning to their local for a draught beer or two.

That is why some, such as the Salt House, the Woolshed and the Edge Hill Bowls Club, have undertaken some upgrading work to give their premises a fresh look and to give customers a reason to return to a “new” atmosphere, not just the same old joint.

People in general are social animals and being confined to barracks has been particularly tough. Nick Dalton

Deputy editor