Pubs pleased to welcome back punters

Hospitality businesses were back to what they do best on Saturday - offering a warm welcome to their customers. Pubs and restaurants - along with their staff - have suffered a severe financial blow since they were ordered to close back in March, so it is no surprise many were eager to throw open their doors at the weekend.

Martial Chaussy, whose chain Elite Pubs operates pubs across west Kent including

The Cow Shed in West Malling and The Great House in Hawkhurst, was pleased to finally welcome back drinkers after months of lockdown. He said: “‘We were delighted to open our doors on Saturday in eight of our pubs after preparing them over the past few weeks.

“Customers were very pleased to be able to eat and drink in a safe but still hospitable environment.

“We look forward to seeing how the footfall increases over thenextfewweeksaswego into the summer months.” Some business, however, did opt to remain closed - perhaps due to fears of rowdy crowds celebrating the easing of the lockdown.

In Sevenoaks, council officials visited 40 licensed properties during the weekend, of which around half were open.

Those who had opened were found to be following Government guidelines to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19, and the council says no enforcement action was required.

Cllr Margot McArthur said: “I would like to thank our businesses and residents who made the reopening of pubs and bars a success.”

Anthony Garnett, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council head of licensing, said: “Where practical difficulties were seen in terms of spacing of tables or groups gathering without appropriate distancing, we were able to provide advice which was well received.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support in the weeks and months ahead.”