PUBS CAN’T WAIT TO OPEN AGAIN
A BURTON pub landlady says she is “counting down the days” to when she can reopen.
Sam Rice, who runs the Loaf and Cheese in the town, was speaking after Boris Johnson announced the Government’s road map out of lockdown, with pubs set to reopen their beer gardens from April 12.
The pandemic has been devastating for pubs across the country, and Sam said there had been times during the past 12 months when she felt ready to quit.
Sam, 55, who lives in Burton, said: “The news was very positive and I feel a lot better now knowing I can continue to do what I enjoy.
“There were times when I wanted to pack it all in, especially when the hospitality sector was being tarnished and not part of any plans, but now I am planning things for when we open and I don’t want to look back.
“I hope their is no U-turn and the Prime Minister sticks to his words, otherwise there will be a lot of people who will be massively disappointed, including me.
“It will be very emotional when I open up, mentally it’s been very tough, not only for me but my customers as well.
“I got a lot of support from the community and when I posted the news on social media; the response was very positive.
“My customers are already planning what days they will be coming in and it’s definitely brought a lot of joy to them.
“I am very excited, the last 12 months has been extremely tough for the hospitality sector, and we all want to do is put that difficult time behind us now.”
Shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality, including pubs serving customers in beer gardens can reopen from April 12 in England.
From May 17, two households are set to be allowed to mix in homes, while the rule of six applies in pubs, which will be able to serve customers indoors from this time.
Like Sam, David Rowe, landlord of The Three Horseshoes in Station Road, Barton, was pleased to hear what Boris Johnson had to say.
The 43-year-old said: “Weather permitting, this is the best way to start proceedings.
“There will be a lot of people who have missed the pubs opening so I don’t think publicans will have an issue bringing people to their doors and if the weather continues to improve I can see it working really well.
“A lot of people will want to give back to the pubs in their communities and acknowledge the fact that the pubs supported them during the difficult times. It’s been a very challenging time for the hospitality sector and of course it’s good news that we can open, but we have to be mindful and realise we are still surrounded by the pandemic.
“The conversations on social media are very positive and I feel rather than last time we have a lot more time to plan how we will operate and the fact that we are opening on a Monday will be better for us.
“We are in the process of rearranging the furniture, and will be adapting the same practices as we did when we came out of the first lockdown.
“Things are looking good, and we all have a duty of responsibility to make sure we continue to work together and tackle the virus.”
For those hoping for good weather when pub gardens open in April, Derbyshire weather watcher Robert Shaw said that although it is too far away to predict April’s weather, the general trend nowadays is for a decent spring.