BOOKINGS AT PUB ‘HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ROOF’

WATERING HOLE IN PM’S CONSTITUENCY SAYS ‘IT HAS GONE MAD’ SINCE SPEECH

BOOKINGS have “gone through the roof ” at an Uxbridge pub after the government gave the green light for them to reopen their doors in a speech on Tuesday June 23.

PM Boris Johnson announced that pubs, restaurants and hotels would be able to re-open to customers from July 4, as part of the next phase of the lockdown easing.

Pubs will be allowed to host customers indoors, but at a ‘one-metre plus’ distance and table service only.

David Hogg, the manager of Millers Tap, in Uxbridge High Street, said it is clear people are keen to return to their local drinking spots given the reaction since the afternoon news.

“They [bookings] have just gone mad since Boris gave his speech, lots of bookings coming through,” Mr Hogg said.

“I’m looking forward to it. To be honest, you miss people when you see people every day, and you deal with people every day. Seeing your regulars walking past and seeing them in the high street, it’s sad not to welcome them in.”

The pub, part of the Stonegate Pub Company, has already been preparing to open on July 4 with a two-metre distance policy, but will now change the format to be in line with the government’s newly-advised ‘one-metre plus’ scheme, which Mr Hogg said will be easier to do business.

“It’ll be easier to do for us, however we have just got to change the attitude of the customers coming in. It is now people queuing to come in, no standing and a new app to order your drinks to the table,” he said.

“We are trying to push for people to pre-book a table in advance.”

The staff will be given temperature checks to make sure they are healthy to work, and eight workers will be on shift throughout the day - much higher than normal - to cater for the extra standards being introduced.

In a video on the pub’s website explaining the new changes, it said ‘touchpoints’ will be cleaned every 15 minutes, sanitiser stations will be set up and digital and single-use menus will be introduced.

Less tables will also be in the venue to allow for social distancing between groups.

Mr Hogg believes the one thing that will be a “major downfall” is Christmas party bookings, as the pub will be forced to turn down large numbers due to social distancing.

He added: “The only thing that is going to be hard to overcome is that moment you have to tell people we are at capacity, we can’t take any more, and [we] may have to say to bookings we won’t be able to take them to allow social distancing.”

Hillingdon Council is encouraging residents to support their high streets locally as it has been working with businesses on a raft of measures to help them adjust to new trading.

More than 1,000 retailers were visited a week ahead of the reopening of nonessential shops to offer guidance, and this will also be rolled out to food and drink businesses, hairdressers, beauty salons and nail bars when they reopen.

The authority has also set up a free street marking service for businesses to ensure social distancing on the high street, assist with tables and chairs licence applications for outdoor dining and help with risk assessments that all businesses are required to do.

A new business directory is also being launched on Hillingdon Council’s website for outlets to advertise opening hours, offers and Covid-19 restrictions.

Hillingdon Council leader Cllr Ray Puddifoot said: “Hillingdon businesses have much to offer local residents and, as we begin to ease out of lockdown, we are doing all we can to ensure that they are able to reopen safely for both employees and customers.

“We hope that through the support we’re offering, we can encourage residents to shop in Hillingdon and help the local economy to bounce back.”