LOCKDOWN RULES LIFTED

What it means for shows and car museums

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‘Our job will be really difficult until restrictions relax a bit more’

As people in England prepare for that first post-lockdown trip to the pub on 4 July, those anticipating classic car meet-ups will have to wait.

Outdoor gatherings are still restricted to six people, effectively putting car-park events on hold for now, but car enthusiasts will be able to get their fix in other ways.

Longed-for ‘staycations’ in classics will be allowed as hotels and B&Bs open up, and although they will look very different with one-way systems and limited numbers, museums are also allowed to flip their signs to ‘open’ again.

Pubs are still largely affected; they can open their doors on 4 July but bunching up at the bar and admiring classics at a meet-up are still off the cards.

Government guidance released on 24 June states that cashless payments will be encouraged and provided clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene.

Most classic-friendly pubs intend to allow gatherings as soon as they can, but with no date mooted by the government, the best we can manage for now is a trip with others in our households to the local.

Elizabeth Young, licensee at The Carpenters Arms in Derbyshire, wants to see the pub’s well-attended event return soon. She said: ‘For Classics at The Carpenters, as it stands we have no date in mind. We don’t even know if we will open on 4 July yet but we are making plans on how we can slowly start to re-open. Our job will be really difficult until restrictions relax a bit more.’

Other pubs known for their classic meet-ups, such as The Cornerhouse in Wrightington, Lancashire, and the Swettenham Arms in Congleton, Cheshire, echoed the desire to welcome classics back as soon as they can.

Museums are on different ground, and while meet-ups outside can’t take place, they will be able to admit customers. But some aren’t sure what their plans are yet.

Bob Mellor, Chairman of Ipswich Transport Museum, has concerns about re-opening. He said: ‘ We are an enclosed museum so it will be difficult for us when we re-open with one-way systems, etc. Most of us at the museum are aged over 70, so we won’t be allowed to be around the general public.

‘ We are part of the Suffolk Museum Association and when we can re-open we will be guided by what they do.’

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has confirmed on its website that it is re-opening on 4 July, but has asked customers to keep checking back for further details.

The Coventry Transport Museum, meanwhile, announced on 26 June that it is to re-open to the public on 20 July.

For those looking for an overnight trip in their classic, most tour operators are also being cautious about fully opening too soon. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said: ‘Britain needs a break, and from 4 July people can now take a well-deserved staycation.

‘ We’ll need the public to keep safe on holiday by following the advice we’re providing, but there is no doubt this is the news many have been waiting for. I am looking forward to a British holiday myself.’

Many operators have trips and tours in the UK and abroad scheduled for late summer and early autumn.Many of those are going ahead as planned, and while operators want to reassure customers, some are experiencing some anxiety among British holidaymakers hedging their bets until normality returns.

Sarah Dowding, who owns Andover-based Classic Travelling, said: ‘It’s as-you-were for the moment. We have the tours later in the year but some people are still wary so are being cautious about booking.

‘ We’re not going to rush into 2020 tours, but we want to really focus on next year and making that as good as it can be.’

Richard Webb, a director at Travel Destinations in Hertfordshire, remains confident about the end of the season. He said: ‘All our events are postponed until September but it is a move in the right direction and gives us and our customers confidence.

‘Touring in cars is probably the safest way of holidaying and if anything doesn’t go ahead customers can have a refund or move to another tour.’