» Landlady has new plan brewing to help save pub
THE landlady of a popular Cheltenham pub says it might not survive into the new year if a “risky” transformation into a coffee shop doesn’t take off.
Lisa Barnes, publican of The Bayshill Inn in St George’s Place, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she has spent £6,000 on installing a new cafe space in the pub’s garden as a way to make ends meet during winter.
Miss Barnes said since the Government introduced the 10pm curfew on pubs last month following a spike of Covid-19 cases across England she has “not taken in enough money to break even”.
She has now bought a coffee machine and set up a pop-up cafe, as well as changing the darts room into a cafe area, which opened to customers on Friday.
Miss Barnes, who has been the Bayshill’s landlady for nine years, said: “Hopefully we will make it. I am not going to lie, if this does not take off and we do not take more money, we will not be here by the end of the year. And that is definite.
“It is sad after nine years fighting and paying for everything to be done.”
The Bayshill Inn can currently cater for between 80 and 100 people outside, but indoors where punters may choose to sit during the colder period the pub can only hold 40 people.
She said that the pub makes enough money during the weekends but is in need of weekday business.
“Now the weather has turned, and the 10pm curfew, we are the worst pub you would want to be right now: a latenight, live music Saturday pub,” Miss Barnes said.
“We have got a licence to serve until 1am, that’s how we made our money. Nothing we did I can sustain.
“We currently have an offer on buy one get one free on food because we need that weekday trade.” Miss Barnes continued: “Since the 10pm curfew, I am not taking in enough money to break even. I have taken a risk and invested about £6,000 in total to design a coffee shop.
“I cannot think about tomorrow’s money. If this 10pm curfew stays, how am I going to get around it?
“It is a new trade that will hopefully bring us more money and survive.”
The Government has been repeatedly challenged to show the scientific evidence behind the decision to introduce 10pm mandatory closing time for pubs, bars and restaurants in England. Miss Barnes was also critical about the measure.
She said: “When we had to reopen on July 4, everyone had to stay seated. Yet when I drove past Pittville Park it was absolutely rammed. Kids would touch the playing equipment and then their mum’s phone and then their mum’s car, yet you come here and it is regimented and controlled.
“Why would you encourage people go to a house party and drink at home when actually drinking at a pub is controlled drinking, and you are more safe here?”
She says local authorities should assess whether hospitality venues in their area are Covid-19 safe and making the right steps.
She said: “It is all targeted as if we are all a whole, when actually we are all different. Some publicans are irresponsible, which is why we are having the things we are, but not everybody is the same. They should not tar everybody with the same brush.”