What pub customers can expect when doors reopen BARS GETTING READY TO WELCOME PEOPLE BACK
PUBS and restaurants across the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area will finally be allowed to serve customers indoors for the first time since early November on Monday after coronavirus restrictions are further eased. Establishments have only been able to serve customers outside since April 12 and weren’t able to serve customers at all prior to that date, except through food takeaway services. A month on, pubs are finally getting ready to welcome people back through their doors once more.
With a number of measures in place, like Perspex screens and reduced seating, customers can expect to see a different interior to some of their favourite pubs, restaurants and bars in the area.
The Cricketers, Grimsby
Manager Sheena Henderson said: “It was really annoying when it was first announced that pubs would have to close. I’d only been a manager for six weeks at that point so I never got a chance to immediately prove that I could do the job. “Serving outdoors has been great for us though. I’m a real people person so being able to see faces again has been brilliant. At first, we were told we wouldn’t be opening on April 12, but because of how well the other Sizzler pubs had performed, we could open outdoors on April 22. “We were ready and raring to go immediately when we were given a date to open on. It’s been non-stop since, but some customers haven’t braved the weather so it’ll be nice to see some old faces when they can come indoors again.
“We’re really excited for Monday now, not only for the customers, but for the staff as well. We’ve hired some people who haven’t had a single shift yet because they keep getting rained off so it’ll be good to get them settled into the team. “When we open inside however,
it’ll give staff and customers more of a routine. We’re not sure how popular it’ll be though, we’re acting like it’s our first day of opening, but it’s only a Monday.”
When the doors reopen, The Cricketers will be implementing Perspex screens between the gambling machines, reduced table numbers and screens across the bar. As
well, they’ll be constantly sanitising the pool table with strict social distancing measures in place for those playing.
Under government guidelines, soft play areas will be allowed to open on May 17. Inside The Cricketers there is the Fuzzy Ed’s play centre, formerly known as the Wacky Warehouse, but it’s bad news for
those who were excited to see it open. Sheena explained: “It’s been shut since last March and we’re not going to open it until we know for sure what plans will be put in place to make it a safe place.
“At the minute, we’re waiting until restrictions are eased more in June hopefully. Then we’ll be opening it by running sessions or limiting
numbers. Getting back to normal is going to take a lot of time as we readjust when everything opens once more without any restrictions.
The Jubilee Inn, Grimsby
For some, like The Jubilee Inn on the Wybers Estate in Grimsby, opening the doors again is about making sure they can be Covid secure to allow for
the further easing of restrictions, which will hopefully happen on June 21 this year.
General manager Victoria Farman said: “I think restrictions being lifted in June is viable if we keep doing what we’re doing. Producing a safe environment is more than doable and, with it, we can bring back some form of real normality. “Personally, should everything go to plan, I can’t wait for it to be 10 deep at the bar during the Euros and everyone chanting.” Victoria also explained how her team have been exemplary throughout the whole of lockdown.
“The team have coped really well and I’m so proud of them. we’re a community-based pub so helping fellow staff as well as customers has been great to see.
“It seems worlds away from when we were first told we’d be shutting. I remember watching the telly in the pub, the atmosphere was so tense during Boris’ announcement.
“After, I started crying and people were shouting at the screen. My initial feeling was ‘I can’t believe this is happening’ but it’s given us the time to refresh the pub.
“We’ve repainted the interior, changed the layout for people’s safety and introduced service cycles to reduce contact. People want pubs to stay open though so I do think they’ll behave the way we’re expecting them to.”
The Royal Oak, Holton-le-Clay
While some may fear a rise in cases when indoor dining recommences, like it did with the Eat Out To Help Out scheme last August, pubs and restaurants are confident this time will be different.
Richard Montague, manager of The Royal Oak in Holton-le-Clay, believes this time people are more aware of the dangers of Covid. He said: “Before, people were sceptical about coronavirus and whether it was real, but this time round things are much different.
“I think, with June in sight, people will tow the line for that little bit longer to get back to normal. That’s why we’re so excited about Monday, it’s the first step to a safer world. “We’ve got nearly 2,000 people booked in for the first week, but we’ve made sure to remain Covid secure. For example, all of the pub has been fogged clean, we’ve removed three tables from the restaurant, Knife and Cork, and we’ve trained our staff every day on their new ways of working.” Speaking about how successful opening indoors will be, Richard said he has faith in the team. “I’m confident about all aspects, the brand, the team and the customers. We can’t thank everyone enough for what they’ve done so far. “We’re feeling fantastic about Monday and we’re not worried in the slightest bit.”
We’ve got nearly 2,000 people booked in for the
first week.
Richard Montague, manager of The
Royal Oak