The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bars reluctantly close for fortnight
Bars across Tayside and Fife have started announcing temporary closures due to new restrictions on the hospitality sector aimed at tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Some publicans across the two regions h av e decided to shut their doors for two weeks after the Scottish Government announced pubs, bars and restaurants would be banned from selling alcohol indoors from 6pm today until Sunday October 25.
Outdoor seating areas can remain open serving alcohol until 10pm.
It comes after five more coronavirus deaths and 1,027 positive cases were recorded in Scotland in the past day.
The Vault in Monifieth is among the local pubs that will temporarily close due to the new rules, revealing it will be shut for 16 days.
A post on the pub’s Facebook page reads: “We have done it all as asked but this time only being allowed to sell soft drinks for the next 16 days is just not viable.
“As of 6pm on Friday, October 9 we will be closing for 16 days. It breaks my heart but it will not break my determination to see this through.
“I care deeply about my staff, my customers, my community and my business. It has never been about the money for me as most of you are very aware.
“I am so very grateful for the amazing level of suppor t we have been shown throughout this very difficult time and I thank you all for that very much.”
The pub will be open until 6pm today, when it will temporarily close while the measures come into effect.
Taking to Facebook, staff at Number 57 on Dundee’s Dock Street announced the live music venue would be closed until October 30.
The statement reads:
“Following on from today’s ludicrous announcement regarding the sale of alcohol on the premises, we have decided to close until Friday October 30.
“This is another massive kick in the teeth for all of us here as we have worked tirelessly and at great expense over the past few months on major renovations and also to provide a Covid-safe environment for all our customers.”
Management said continuing to operate until 6pm serving non-alcoholic drinks “won’t pay the bills”, adding: “So, to that end, we have decided it’s best to let this time pass and take stock of where we go from here.”
The Vic in St Andrews will be shutting until Monday October 26.
The bar posted to Facebook: “We are sorry to say that, in line with the most recent governmentissued guidance, we are closing our doors once again from tonight as we are experiencing an understandably high level of cancellations.”
The Novar Bar in Kirkcaldy also announced its temporary closure.
A Facebook post read: “A f t e r yesterday ’s announcement, we feel we have no option but to close from 6pm on Fr i d a y October 9.
“Despite the superb efforts of the team to create an incredibly safe place for us all to e n j o y, the government feels the need to impose even stricter measures on pubs and restaurants like us.
“Unfortunately, having looked at the numbers, it is not financially feasible to stay open with reduced hours and the inability to serve alcohol indoors.”
Many other local watering holes are planning to see out the two-week period by keeping their outdoor areas open or ser ving food and nonalcoholic drinks indoors.