Glass as restrictions ease ‘Lockdown hasn’t been easy on any of us but to see people back and smiling is what we want’
LEICESTER landlords are delighted to have taken the first step out of lockdown as outdoor drinking and dining is permitted again.
It has been more than five months since many pubs, bars and restaurants were able to welcome customers in person - but they have returned in droves.
Ben Cartwright, 75, from Stocking Farm, Leicester, was delighted to join friends at the Market Tavern’s new outdoor seating area in Green Dragon Square.
He said: “This is the greatest day of my life! I’ve been sitting at home drinking cans for months. Depressing.
“Now the sun is out and I’m back with my mates.”
Other pubs with outdoor seating areas in the city centre were also busy as punters rushed for a pint.
Alan Merryweather and Sarah Cunnington run the Black Horse, in Aylestone, and were busy all day serving people in their beer garden.
Alan said: “We are so pleased to get people back in again and really grateful to our customers for their support.
“Lockdown has not been easy
for any of us in the sector but to see people back and smiling is what we want.
“We’re asking people to be patient - and they are being.
“The weather on day one back couldn’t have been better - though we went from sun to snow briefly, but that’s April.
“We are really looking forward to the summer.”
Naomi Hewitt lives next door to the pub and took the day off with a group of friends to be among the first back.
She said: “I’ve really missed this place.
“It has been so quiet without the laughter but it’s great to be back.
“This is a real community pub and the community hasn’t been the same without it.
Her friend Sally Ellis said: “I woke up happier this morning thinking about this and seeing my friends again.
“Zoom is okay to stay in touch but this is so much better.”
Becky Farnham-Burrows is the landlady of The Old Black Horse Inn at Houghton on the Hill, which she runs with her husband, Matt.
Their beer garden reopened yesterday, and it is set to be open every day, weather dependent.
Becky said: “We’re really excited to be able to open our garden gates and welcome our lovely customers back. It’s been a very long wait after closing our doors on Sunday, October 29. We’ve been working hard to make sure everyone can enjoy a pint and a bite to eat safely in our beautiful beer garden.”