A sense of normality
Beer flowed from the taps of a number of local pubs for the first time in 15 weeks on Monday.
That’s after lockdown restrictions eased, allowing outdoor beer gardens to open.
Important to instill a sense of normality, the opening of such areas was important to the area’s economy too.
Perhaps more importantly, it was vital to residents across communities who have suffered together through lockdown.
The News was out and about to say ‘cheers’ to the new normal.
As the clock struck 12, the moment many had been waiting for finally became a reality.
Pubs across the greater East Kilbride area reopened.
In the grand scheme of things, it may seem trivial, but the move was as much symbolic as it was economic.
The heart of a community, pubs are often the main source of socialising for a number of people in our society.
Offering a place to connect, share, offload, support and unwind, the pub is often the symbol of community rather than just a place for libation.
We visited a number of bars on Monday – purely for work reasons – in East Kilbride, Auldhouse and Strathaven. And the overwhelming sense was it was nice to have a slice of normality.
At the Westwood Bar, Moira Roberts and her team welcomed dozens through the door in the first hour.
Embracing the ‘new normal,’ punters had to leave their name and address to help with trace and track should the need arise, and use hand sanitiser before entering the premises.
They were then allocated a table, followed a one way system to order and pay, before being brought drinks to their table – all of which should allow them to enjoy a drink and socialise without touching a surface inside.
Moira told us: “This has been a horrendous few months for the pub trade.
“We’re a community pub and we’ve missed each other. I was demented with lockdown.
“But I think Nicola Sturgeon is doing a sterling job, and baby steps is the right way to go. You don’t want to get going and then have to close again later in the year. “Closing again could kill this industry.” Regulars Peter Keagan, Tam Orr, Joe Watt and John Mann agreed it was nice to have a “sense of normality” back, and that having access to socialise again ‘meant a lot’.
Over at the Auldhouse Arms – which was forced to shut just weeks after reopening following a large-scale refurbishment – the small community were delighted to be able to see pals again.
Landlord Marco Sarao said: “It’s been hard graft to get to this stage.
“But the priority is making sure people are safe. We’re starting slow with just drinks and once we know we can manage safely, we’ll introduce a food menu.
“We have duty of care and loyalty to our staff and customers, so we’re going to stay to two metres distance. We just want to make people happy and safe.
“We’re not pushing mass sales of drinks, this is about the community reconnecting.”
Manager of Brew 74 in Stewartfield, Nicole Marmion, said lockdown had been “tough” on the family business,.
They teamed up with a specialist cleaning company to make sure they were ready to trade to the public again.