CHEERS! PUBS REOPEN AND HOTELS OFFER CHEAP DEALS
..but revellers urged to be sensible and not overdo it
Hospitality trade across NI excited but apprehensive as pubs and hotels finally throw open their doors to customers again
NORTHERN Ireland’s publicans are getting ready to toast the reopening of their licensed premises, but eager punters have been warned not to overdo it when the liquor starts flowing after a three-month Covid-19-enforced hiatus.
The relaxation of restrictions is a sign that life is starting to return to normal again — albeit a new normality that requires at least the one metre social distance rule to be respected.
Although the R-number measuring the rate of transmission is now below one — and as low as 0.3 by some calculations — there are new rules to follow too.
They include no queuing at the bar and table service only, although concerns have been raised ahead of the large-scale reopening of venues.
Health Minister Robin Swann, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the British Medical Association (BMA) have all appealed for a common-sense approach to alcohol.
“This is an important date for many local businesses and I am sure many people are looking forward to socialising with friends,” said Mr Swann.
“I am not out to spoil anyone’s enjoyment. However, I have to remind everyone once again that the threat from Covid-19 is still very much with us.
“We are all familiar with the phrase ‘When the drink’s in, the wit’s out’. I hope and trust this will not be the case in Northern Ireland.
“By all means, enjoy yourselves, but don’t pour your common sense down the drain.”
CMO Dr Mcbride said alcohol misuse cost an estimated £900m every year, with almost £250m being borne by the health and social care sector.
He added: “Irresponsible drinking can add to the pressures on hospital emergency departments and other public services. It can put you and others at risk.”
For many local publicans, however, the reopening of the sector cannot come soon enough.
Stephen Magorrian, managing director of the Horatio Group, said he was happy to be back in business “because it gives us a real chance of keeping our staff in a job”.
With The Northern Whig in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, Horatio Todd’s in Ballyhackamore, east Belfast, and Denvir’s Coaching Inn in Downpatrick all welcoming customers from 12.30pm until 11pm or last orders, Mr Magorrian said there were challenges ahead.
“It’s all about building trade back up again,” he added.
“We’re not offering any drinks promotions.
“We’ve mostly held our prices and our intention is to deliver a quality product at value for money.”
While he admitted to being “a little apprehensive” about once more throwing the doors open to the public, Mr Magorrian added that he was hoping his customers would
“realise how much they’ve missed” going out. Pubs, restaurants and cafes can reopen from today and bars with outside areas can serve alcohol on a table-service basis, while inside it must be served with meals.
In Lurgan, Cellar Bar owner Lesa Mccann said she was “excited and nervous” in equal measure about reopening.
“I know people are keen to come back, but I’m very aware of the need to keep my staff and customers safe,” she added. “The place has been sterilised and cleaned and I have a big board out the front, as well as posters, so people can read about social distancing, washing their hands and not coming in if they haven’t booked.”
Although she is not fully booked on Friday, there is no availability left on Saturday, with the premises opening from 1pm until 8.30pm on both days and from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday.
In the initial stages of reopening, she only plans to open three or four days a week.
said she would be offering promotions this weekend.“i’ll be doing a gin special — a gin and mixer for £5.50 instead of £7m — a weekend cocktail for £5.95 and a bottle of wine for £15.95 instead of £19,” Lesa added.
“However, there won’t be any offers on beer because the point is not to encourage people to drink a lot.”
Ms Mccann’s plan is to “keep it tight and controlled” in order to “make it as safe for customers as I can”.
Meanwhile, Dr Siobhan Quinn, an emergency department doctor in Belfast and a BMA committee member, has also urged people not to drink to excess.
“I would strongly urge people to drink responsibly when they do go out and have a good night but make sure it’s not one that ends up in an emergency department,” she said.