Nervous wait to see what happens our pubs

MONDAY next, July 20th is another milestone in the country’s slow emergence from lockdown when pubs can reopen their doors.

Like the opening of restaurants and cafes it will be a slow process and will probably be a few weeks before a full picture emerges.

The reason for this is that many publicans are not all that certain that they want to reopen because of the risks involved to themselves, their families and their customers.

Others realise that their premises are totally unsuitable to allow for social distancing, and no matter how hard or innovative they try by erecting physical barriers or removing seating, it would not make financial sense to open for just the few customers they could cater for.

This all leads to the conclusion that the pub scene in Dundalk, and indeed an awful lot of provincial towns, is going to look a lot different from now on.

Many are predicting that many of the sixty or so licensed premises in the town will not reopen for apart from the public health fears, and their unsuitability of their premises, publicans are worried that the numbers frequenting pubs in the immediate future will be considerably reduced.

There will be mixed views about this outcome, for it will be welcomed by those who advocate that the pub plays an excessive role in our social lives, while others maintain it is part of our heritage and the very fabric of our wellbeing.

The arguments from both sides are well rehearsed at this stage, but there is no doubting the fact that the four month period of pub abstinence has changed the way of living for many, who now are content to remain at home with a few cans, with the bonus of a few more euros in their pockets.

All of this is contributing to a very worrying time for publicans, some of whom have invested heavily not just in the purchase of their premises but in extensive and costly renovations that they have undertaken in recent years.

Of course many would be reluctant to shed a tear for the publican, but they have to make their living like everyone else, and many pubs are family owned or leased establishments who have served their communities well over the years.

THERE IS NO DOUBTING THE FACT THAT THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD OF PUB ABSTINENCE HAS CHANGED THE WAY OF LIVING FOR MANY

Town centre footpaths following COVID-19 are operating a one way system, which is being observed by some, but cyclists are still regularly using the footpaths and cause a nuisance to pedestrians, particularly elderly or those using walking sticks or wheelchairs.