Safety guideline breach sees pub closed two days after reopening

Fife Council said outdoor area of Glenrothes bar was against regulations

A Fife bar has been forced to close because it breached Covid-19 safety regulations just two days after it reopened to the public.

The Phoenix in Glenrothes welcomed regulars back on Monday after nearly four months of closure due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The pub, which is built into the Carrick Gate entrance to Kingdom Shopping Centre in the town, had created a fenced-off outdoor beer garden area outside the front entrance to allow customers to enjoy a drink.

In order to meet social distancing regulations bosses said they would be operating a strict table-service-only system for a maximum of 20 people and conducting a track-and-trace procedure for all customers.

However scores of shoppers complained the outdoor area was forcing them to walk further in order to get access to shops.

Carol Sinclair called the decision to allow the beer garden “absolutely shocking”, while Marissa Vance said it was “an inconvenience for elderly and disabled”.

Others were more supportive, posting messages in defence of the move, but licensing officers visited the pub on Wednesday and ordered it to close.

Fife Council said the outdoor area chosen by the premises was under cover at the entrance to the Kingdom Centre, meaning it was not currently permitted by the Scottish Government to be used for eating and drinking.

Following the ruling, the Phoenix issued a statement on its Facebook page, which said: “We have just been told by the council to close.

“This is because of Covid-19 legislation which was passed on Thursday (yesterday) by the government regarding outside space takes precedent over the licence we were granted from Fife Council.

“This is totally out of our hands and has nothing to do with any negative posts you may or may not have seen regarding the area outside the pub.

“We will be reopening when allowed to serve you all inside, see you all soon. John and Doreen.”

The pub’s management were contacted but decline to make any further comment.

Customers in the covered area outside The Phoenix in Glenrothes.