The County Hotel’s new manager is ready to open doors to new-look venue
GRIMSBY’S County Hotel will be coming out of lockdown with a new look and a new manager.
Lee Martin took over the pub just two short weeks ago after the previous manager had spent nine years running it. Now, he’s hoping to make a great start to his tenure and is ready to welcome customers back through the doors.
Pubs and restaurants haven’t been able to provide indoor service since January 4 when the third lockdown was announced. However, the Prime Minister recently announced these establishments will be able to welcome customers back inside from Monday.
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Lee said it was a horrible time and all he wanted to do was return to normal life as quickly as possible.
He said: “It was a horrible time when we were told we would be shutting, absolutely terrible. Immediately, I wanted to get back to serving and looking after the regulars. “The whole time we’ve been shut has been dreadful for everyone in the industry. There’s been so much wastage across the country with people pouring beer away, it’s something they had to do here too. “I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and I’m used to seeing some people two, three or even seven times a week. Not being able to do that has been really difficult for me. “It’s difficult for customers too who aren’t able to see their friends in this environment. However, come next week it’ll hopefully be the start on the road back to normality.” Away from work, Lee explained how life hasn’t been the easiest for him during lockdown. “I’ve missed the social interaction a lot. This isn’t just a job to me, it’s a way of life.
“I’ve built relationships with customers who have come to be my extended family and to have lost that as well as being imprisoned twenty four seven in my home has been hard work.
“Initially, lockdown wasn’t so bad in my opinion. We were all off work and enjoying the weather, but the novelty soon wore off. I became less motivated and struggled to find things to do.
“The lack of normality and loss of a proper routine becomes difficult for everyone. I know a lot of people have mental health issues as well and I dread to think what they’ve been through.”
Looking ahead to Monday, however, Lee is ready to finally open his doors to the Grimsby locals. He said: “It’ll be nice to welcome everyone as a newly appointed manager. I’ve been in the pub before, but as a performer with my band so my face will be familiar to some. “It’s daunting, but I like a challenge. Hopefully, I can develop the live music in here, I’ve already got bands booked for the coming months.”
At the beginning of the refurbishment, the work being done was only meant to involve repainting the walls. “It snowballed into a complete refurb in the end” Lee explained. “We’ve now sanded the bar down, changed the lights and even wallpapered some of the walls.
“The idea of customers seeing the change was worrying, but those enjoying our outside seating have had a look and the changes have been well received so far. “Having the outdoor seating has been really beneficial to me too. It’s given me a chance to introduce myself and get to know some of the locals.
“I’m just glad we’re on the final stretch now. I’m a mix of being excited and apprehensive. It’ll be nice to get back to what I know.”
I’ve missed the social interaction a lot. This isn’t just a job to me, it’s a way of life.
Lee Martin