‘We’re back – and we expect to be busy!’
AS PUBS REOPEN DOORS, OTHERS SAY THEY’LL HANG FIRE
ONE of the landlords of The Sair at Linthwaite has revealed it will not be reopening today as the onemetre rule is not practical in a classic pub famous for its cosy snugs.
And other pub groups and landlords have announced they will not be reopening straight away.
Instead they are adopting a cautious approach and will learn from the experience of their colleagues who are reopening.
Jim Crabtree of The Sair said on Facebook: “Very sorry. The Sair will not now be opening on the 4th. The one metre width (risk mitigation) is just not practical.
“We’ve tried and tried to get a credible risk assessment together but the rooms are just too small to meet government legislation.
“Also, we think there is a risk of unrest as lots of other pubs in the valley are not opening yet. We need to keep our staff and customers safe and we don’t feel that this is yet possible. As soon as we can open safely we will do just that.”
And Bruce Travis, a former lawyer who runs The King’s Head next door to Huddersfield Railway Station, told the Examiner he was leaving reopening until Monday,
July 13, when it will be quieter.
He said: “I’m going to see how it goes and pick up some tips from other pub landlords’ experiences.”
Two other popular real ale pubs which have delayed reopening are The Riverhead Brewery and Tap in Marsden and The Rat and Ratchet on Chapel Hill, Huddersfield.
Ossett Brewery, which runs both of them, said it will reopen three of its sites in York, Ossett and Saltaire today.
Then if all goes to plan The Flowerpot in Mirfield, The Black Bull in Rothwell, The Kings Arms in Heath Common, Wakefield and Archie’s Bar & Kitchen in Granary Wharf, Leeds, will reopen on July 9.
In a Facebook post the group said: “We will then plan to open the remainder of our sites over the next couple of weeks putting into practice what we have learned from our early openings.”
But for two other pub operators who had to close just days after they opened there was more optimistic news.
Sheila Sutton, who with her brother Ian sank the best part of £1m into The Boshaw Trout at Hade Edge, wrote on the pub’s Facebook page: “Finally the news we have all been waiting for. We are opening at 11.30 am on Saturday, 4 July. Expect to be busy.”
And The Weavers Shed, which also had to shut after a massive facelift, wrote on Facebook: “We’re almost there.
“Signs are going up, deep cleans are being finished, staff are being briefed, trained and eager to see their lovely customers again.
“It’s been a tough period, and we’re all still learning so be kind; if you are coming over the weekend, we look forward to seeing you.”