CHEERS AS PUBS REOPEN INDOORS
INDOOR hospitality reopened across Wales – but not every pub and restaurant jumped at the chance to open its doors.
It could be that al fresco dining is proving a success.
Or it could be that many of our historic pubs are simply not built for social distancing . . .
Many restaurateurs and pub owners had been waiting for August 3, the day when they were finally allowed to reopen indoors following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Yesterday also marked the launch of the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out campaign, giving customers up to 50% off their food if they eat at restaurants between Monday and Wednesday.
Liz Silva, landlady and owner of The Bush Inn, at St Hilary in the Vale of Glamorgan, decided to change her opening hours to take advantage of the scheme, but the 16th-century countryside pub makes the option to reopen indoors a little bit more difficult.
“We are a 16th-century countryside pub with a thatched roof, inside we have four rooms but they are so small, we would only be allowed around seven tables with social distancing.
“It is beautiful, but indoors for us, to do the Covid-19 risk assessment, we would need to put two to three team members on. It isn’t financially viable. At least for now, while we can stay outside, we will,” said Liz, who co-owns the pub with her husband, Andrew Hooker.
The Bush Inn reopened outdoors on July 13, and like most places they completely adapted the way they work in order to survive.
“It wasn’t reopening really, effectively, we have opened up a brandnew business,” said Liz, who is about to celebrate 10 years since opening the pub.
“We used to open Monday to Sunday but we have been open Wednesday to Sunday since reopening. But now we are planning on taking full advantage of the new scheme so we will be open every day but Thursday.
“How could we not? For local businesses like ours, we have to take advantage.”
The beautiful and idyllic pub has adapted from its traditional ‘gamestyle’ menu of ‘wellingtons’ and pies by installing an outside wood-burning stove that allows them to serve pizzas.
The decision to install such an oven was also to ensure there were fewer staff working in the pub’s kitchen to allow for social distancing.
Customers sit outside under a long gazebo, which comes in handy when the Welsh weather takes a turn.
“We have had one weekend where the weather wasn’t great and we aren’t taking deposits for our outdoor seating for exactly that reason, but that weekend not one booking didn’t show up.
“I think people just want to get out, we have been locked inside for four months, it is just a change that people want.
“It is going so well, we had no idea people had confidence, whether they would want to be outside but even in the rain people have turned up.”
While the pub hasn’t reopened indoors yet, Liz is hoping August will mark the start of a good return for the business.
“Since reopening it is all about adapting, we are open from 3pm to 9pm now, but that may change, depending on the figures.
“It is about surviving, we can’t plan for Christmas, we can’t plan for the new year, so for now we are taking advantage of everything we can.”
Over in Newport, The Potters pub in
Upper Dock Street has been closed to customers completely since lockdown began on March 23.
Manager Emma Gorvett said staff were very excited to welcome back guests as it began serving breakfast yesterday morning.
“We had, I would say, 70 per cent of what we normally would have had which is pretty good,” Emma said.
“The whole pub is open but we are not booking the outside terrace. That’s
reserved for walk-ins who only want a drink.
“We are encouraging people to make bookings.”
Emma said customers are each seated and then encouraged to use an app to order their food and drinks.
One-way systems and other measures are also in place throughout the building.
“There has been an extremely good response to the Eat Out to Help Out offer,” Emma said.
“Most of our guests aren’t aware of it. They are checking the amount we have charged them.
“I would say only 20 per cent of our guests are expecting it. I would have thought it will pick up through the month.”
She added: “All the staff are so enthusiastic. It’s lovely. I think everyone has had a bit too much time off.
“It’s gone very well here. We were all a bit nervous that we may have forgotten something, but it has all gone very well.”
The day has been a significant marker for the easing of lockdown in Wales.
The next significant changes will come into place on August 10, when swimming-pools, leisure centres, indoor gyms, and children’s play areas will be allowed to reopen, but only if coronavirus cases continue to fall.