Tier 3 The pub festive decorations its regulars can only see online
THE landlord of one of North Somerset’s most popular pubs has shared pictures of its Christmas decorations online – because his customers won’t get to see them.
John Beynon, who runs the Black Horse at Clapton-in-Gordano with wife Allison, spent hours putting up decorations on November 20 – hopeful that the inn would re-open after lockdown today.
But his plans to re-open the 700-year-old pub, also known as The Kicker, were thrown into disarray when the Government announced North Somerset would move to Tier 3 restrictions postlockdown.
The tier level prevents the reopening of pubs, unless they can provide a takeaway service.
John, who took over the pub in September 2019, said even if the area moves into Tier 2 at the next review on December 16, it still won’t be viable for him to re-open.
“We put the decorations up ready for re-opening for the festive season as it made us feel good and positive about the run up to Christmas,” said John.
“Christmas is one of our busiest times of year.
“The pub looked great and really festive only for us to find out days later that we can’t reopen when the lockdown ends.
“So rather than waste our efforts we took pictures of the pub with all its decorations up and put them on our Facebook page so at least our customers can get to see them.”
The Bristol Post and our website bristol.live have launched the #BigUpBristol campaign to champion the city region’s hospitality and entertainment industry as it faces crisis – as a result of ongoing coronavirus control measures. We’re highlighting the plight of people whose livelihoods are decimated, and giving voice to their calls for more help. We’re also highlighting ways you can support those who are able to keep working during the crucial pre-Christmas period.
John has a long association with the pub. He first visited when he was just three months old and both his father and grandfather drank there.
John says the first lockdown was difficult and the couple spent tens
of thousands on special measures to ensure the pub was Covid safe when it opened in July.
“We have spent so much money on getting it right,” said John.
“We’ve reduced the seating capacity, put in specially made oak framed screens, installed hand sanitiser stations and have a full track and trace system.
“We also had a 50 per cent uplift in our staffing costs when we re
opened due to needing to comply with the track and trace requirements and the need for table service.
“People said they felt safer coming to the pub than they did going to the supermarket.
“From day one we have followed all the new requirements very strictly while trying to ensure customers can have a normal experience as possible.
Trade during the summer was good and the pub did not report one case of coronavirus throughout the whole time. But John and his team faced another major blow when the second lockdown was introduced in November, with all 14 staff put back on furlough.
The pub, like other hospitality venues across the UK has received Government support.
But John says that that money was quickly swallowed up in running costs.
“The only Government support we get now is £2,000 a month and that doesn’t even cover our utility bills.
“We also still have to pay rent and although staff are furloughed we still have to pay their national insurance and pension contributions.
“We did have a great summer when we were open and have been able to build up some reserves.
“But now we are just watching these dwindle away.”
John says even if North Somerset does move to Tier 2, the pub, which only offers a bar snack menu at lunchtime, will be unable to reopen.
“We are a wet-led pub,” he says, “and operating under Tier 2 restrictions is just not viable for us.
“Ninety-five per cent of our sales are wet sales, with only five per cent food sales.
“The Government says under Tier 2 that pubs can only open if they offer a substantial meal.
“It also states that you can only serve alcohol while people are eating.
“As soon as they finish their meal, you can’t serve any more and they have to go.
“There is also the issue which says that people need to be in the same household to book a table.
“The majority of our customers are people who want to pop in for a pint or two, so we could end up with a group of six all sitting on different tables.
“We have already had to reduce our capacity and number of tables to comply with social distancing so this just wouldn’t work.”
John says he fears the pub will not be able to re-open till the Spring, when restrictions are eased and a vaccine is in place.
“We are all so disheartened,” he said.
The only Government support we get now is £2,000 a month and that doesn’t even cover our utility bills
Landlord John Beynon