Last orders at pub as COVID takes its toll
The management at one of Su n d e rl a n d ’s o l d e s t pub s have announced its closure after rapidly declining footfall caused by coronavirus.
Barry Hyde, frontman of The Futureheads, and business partner Dan Donnelly, who’s performed with Celtic Social Club, The Wonder Stuff and The Levellers, took over the lease at The Peacock, in Keel Square, last October.
They had big plans for the Grade II-listed building, which has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years to bring it back to its Edwardian glory.
They’d managed to attract new custom to the site, which dates back to 1901 and is a cornerstone of the city’s emerging culture quarter, with a strong line up of live music and a varied menu.
However, like all hospitality businesses, the pub had to
close its doors in March and just days after reopening in the summer,despitethenecessary precautionsbeingtaken,astaff member was among others in the city who tested positive for COVID-19 which meant it had to undergo a deep clean.
A local lockdown has further impacted bars, pubs and restaurantsandnowBarryand
Dan have decided to close.
A statement on the pub’s Facebook page reads: “Due to a rapidly decreasing footfall and clearly slim chances of that changing in the immediate future, we have decided to close the pub until further notice.
"We are really sad about this, as you can imagine. The current circumstances aren't manageable and we have to protect the long-term vision we have for the building at large. Not only that but it's soul destroying, when you put every ounce of energy in to something and see it suffer because of things that are essentially out of your control.
"We have seen a rapid decline in turnover, up to 75% below average on some days. Which is just terrifying. With no football, no private parties and no substantial gigs we have to accept that the only other option would be to run at a loss in order to remain open and this would substantially jeopardise our present and future situations.
"All scheduled events for 2020 will either be cancelled or rescheduled accordingly. We will review the situation as the next few months progress with regards to anything we have booked for 2021, it feels too early to make that call right now. So with a heavy heart but a glimmering sensation of hope we say: STAY SAFE, BE BRAVE, WE WILL BE BACK.”