Hopes and fears on big day for Tayside pubs

Beer gardens across Dundee and Angus say they have been inundated with bookings as they prepare to welcome customers hopeful of sunshine drinking today.

Venues such as Aboukir Hotel, the 19th Hole, and Kinloch Arms in Carnoustie are raring to go, as are watering holes across Dundee.

172 at The Caird, Giddy Goose, Duke’s Corner, Brewdog and the Kilted Kangaroo are among those opening in the city to have put in place several safety measures to reassure patrons.

Many are taking bookings for tables via apps and online and say they have struggled to keep up.

Andrew Mitchell, from Kilted Kangaroo, said the pub’s website crashed after 2,000 people tried to book in over two days at both their Dundee and Stirling pubs.

He said: “Most tables are fully booked, especially for the weekends and through the day during the week.

“Getting beer delivered wasn’t an issue as we have a long-standing relationship with Heineken and they delivered to us on Thursday.

“We have posted guidance for everyone on our Facebook page and can’t wait to reopen.”

Some local premises have said they will not yet reopen, despite having outdoor space.

Greene King-run Riverside Inn in

Dundee will reopen on July 15, as will Coast in Arbroath, whereas Beefeater at Discovery Point in Dundee is holding off until July 29.

Meanwhile, a pub boss preparing to open a new outdoor establishment called the Social Distance Inn has said she will review pre-booking arrangements after worrying scenes emerged at the weekend of English streets packed with revellers.

A large marquee bar and seating for up 60 people has been set up in the car park of the Scone Arms.

All tables and chairs have been set two metres apart and each customer will have their temperature checked as they go in.

General manager Kayleigh McKerchar said staff have been working for several weeks to create “the safest possible experience”.

But she said measures were being reviewed again after seeing images of crowded Soho streets on the first day of pubs’ reopening south of the border.

“It’s an ever-moving situation. The guidelines are being updated all the time and that means we are always reviewing our measures,” she said.

“We know how important it is to make people safe and that has always been our top priority. People won’t come if they don’t feel confident.

“We had planned that customers could turn up without booking, but now we are considering making it so that everyone will need to register before they arrive.”