Pubs prepare to make their move into the great outdoors
PUBS from around the borough are getting ready for reopening outside from next week.
From Monday, April 12, pubs will be able to reopen but customers must order, eat and drink outside while also adhering to the rule of six.
They may also be in a group of any size as long as there are no more than two households present.
So, pubs from around Rochdale are preparing to see customers for the first time since the last lockdown began.
That includes The
Grapes in Bamford, and owner Nicola Maccabe said she can’t wait to start pouring pints again.
Nicola, who’s run the pub with husband and head chef Ed for nearly four years, added that the move outside has proved tricky for her indoor dining focused pub.
She said: “We’ve got a really big back garden but we’ve never really used it other than for people to sit and for kids to run around in – we’ve got another eight tables coming in so that will more than double our capacity outside.
“We’re not really used to doing food outside so we’ve done a different menu and we’re ready to go with that as soon as we can. To be finally opening and seeing people, looking after people again and pouring a pint will make a big difference – we really, really can’t wait.”
Other safety measures will also be in place as customers must wear a face mask when not seated and follow a strict one-way system when moving around the pub.
Nicola added that a new menu has been created to suit the outdoor dining experience, a change form the usual indoor threecourse meals the pub is known for.
She also said that customers had helped out by jet washing the decking and planting flowers free of charge, and that the pub’s parasols will hopefully ensure it can be open in all weather.
“If the weather is nice I think people are going to want to sit outside and have a drink and just eat out of a bowl instead of with a knife and fork,” said Nicola.
“We’re an inside pub so everything has been based on the inside so we had to wait and wait for final guidance to see what changes there are.
“It’s a system we’ve not used before. It’s going to be difficult next week as we try to get our heads round it. As long a people come it’ll make it all worth it.”
It’s a similar story for Lisa Groom, who owns the Waterside Restaurant Bar Garden in Littleborough, who said she was slightly nerve-wracking to be reopening.
“At the moment we’re doing a full clean of the area, preparing,” said Lisa, who runs the bar with her husband and head chef Kris.
“It’s really nice to be opening because the building has felt empty and a little bit sombre because we’ve had over 12 months of uncertainty and worry but hopefully we’ll get back onto it and do the best that we can for our customers under the regulations.
“It’s quite nerve-racking going back because it was a day-to day routine and obviously now we’re out of that routine, but we endeavour to make it the best we can.”
As a fresh food restaurant Lisa said they had to throw out a lot of fresh produce during the first lockdown.
She said: “It’s been really tough because we’re a fresh food restaurant so in the times where there was uncertainty with opening and closing, it was very difficult to gauge stock levels.
“We lost quite a lot in the first lockdown because it was just before Mother’s Day and we brought in everything because we had over 100 booked in – but everyone same boat.
“We’ve changed the menu slightly to suit outdoor eating so we’re going to put antipasti, sharing platters and boards – more casual dining really but still nice fresh food.”
Marie Shawcross, who has been the landlady at the Bulls Head in Newhey for 13 years, said she will also be nervous ahead of reopening.
She said: “We’ll all be nervous for the first opening because you don’t know what to expect do you?
“You’ve still got to do your two to one metres and you’ve got to book only. We’ve got a marquee and we’ve got decking upstairs but we’ve got to wait on them and bring the food out and the beers is in the out – it’s more or less what we did before.
“The staff will be glad to get back to work and the customers can’t wait to get back so I think everybody’s looking forward to getting back to a different kind of normality.”
Marie, who runs the pub with head chef and husband Peter, said the pandemic has been a sad time for the pub.
“It’s been very sad, with no money coming in – it’s been very depressing,” she said.
“The staff will be glad to get back to work and the customers can’t wait to get back so I think everybody’s looking forward to getting back to a different kind of normality.
“If everybody does what they’re supposed to do then it’ll work out.”
Departing Thu 21 Oct ‘21, Thu 28 Apr ‘22, Thu 26 May ‘22, Thu 2 Jun ‘22, Thu 9 Jun ‘22, Thu 23 Jun ‘22, Thu 11 Aug ‘22,
Beautiful Northumberland is home to rugged scenery, iconic landmarks and unspoilt seascapes. We explore Alnwick Castle and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, while visits to the Angel of the North and historic Durham perfectly round off this lovely short break.
Return coach travel 2 nights at the Jurys Inn, Newcastle Gateshead Quays with dinner & breakfast Excursion to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne & Alnwick Castle En-route visits to the Angel of the North & Durham