Pubs hope the hardy will turn out as rain forecast
PUBS across Burton and South Derbyshire are hoping customers brave the weather this weekend – as forecasters predict it is going to be a wet one.
The forecast for today, is not looking too positive as forecasters predict it will rain and be windy most of the day, with more of the same on Sunday morning.
That will not stop dedicated landlords from serving their customers, who are only allowed in in pub gardens and not inside the pubs yet because of coronavirus restrictions.
But some have said they will play it by ear and close early if it gets too wet and customers do not fancy sitting out in the rain.
Lewis Anthony, manager of The Waterfront, at Barton Marina, said: “We judge it on the day and don’t like to predict anything as it could be sunny and dry on the day.
“At the moment we are going ahead with full opening as normal.
“We do have cabins and a fully heated terrace and we have got action plans in place just in case.”
Sam Rice, landlady of the Loaf and Cheese, in Waterloo Street, Burton, said: “We’re staying open as we’ve got a big marquee.
“What’s the point of closing for a bit of rain?
“We had rain and wind the other night and we still got customers under the marquee, which has heaters, and they were happy.”
David Rowe, landlord of The Three Horseshoes, in Barton under Needwood, said: “We’re shortening our hours to close earlier but we’re very much playing it by ear.
“If it’s sunny and we have customers then we will remain open later. If it rains and we have no customers then we will shut up shop.
“We were out of pocket on bank holiday Monday and it actually cost us to be open – and the same on the Tuesday.
“I know a lot of places decided to close but we stayed open on the off chance.
“If the weather is nice and there’s the customer demand, we will stay open.”
A spokesman for The Dragon at Willington and The Boot at Repton, said they would be open as normal.
At The Dragon, all the dining tables are undercover and there is a glass canopy and marquees that provide extra shelter. They also provide blankets.
There is also a walk-in section for people who have not booked, but they are not undercover, so it is at the customers discretion to brave themselves to the elements.
At The Boot, there are marquees that provide shelter and a courtyard for walk-ins that are not undercover.
The spokesperson said: “Mainly people who have pre-booked that will be undercover.”
The Met Office predicts that today will be a wet and windy day, with some heavy and persistent rain, especially through the morning.
In the evening, the rain and winds will become lighter, with some drier spells likely. The maximum temperature is predicted to be 15°C.
On Sunday, it is forecast to rain throughout the morning but will be drier and cloudy in the afternoon.