WET PUBS CLOSING DOORS AGAIN AS COUNTRY MOVES TO LEVEL 3
SANDIE and Derek Stanley, owners of Boomerang bar on Quinsboro Road in Bray, had been open for just two weeks before Monday’s announcement that the nation would go into Level 3 restrictions.
While this means that pubs can serve outdoors, to 15 people, that option is not sustainable at Boomerang, said Sandie.
The news didn’t come as a surprise to the publican. ‘Given what had happened in Dublin and how the numbers were going, we were kind of expecting this,’ she said.
‘Under Level 3 the restrictions will mean we just can’t open,’ she said. ‘How are we supposed to open in October outdoors?’
She said that while some places are set up with heaters and that kind of facility, Boomerang isn’t. A limit of 15 patrons outdoors would also mean opening would not be viable.’
‘It’s too restrictive to be able to run a business under those circumstances,’ said Sandie. ‘It was great to see all the customers over the past two weeks,’ she said. ‘All of the customers were willing to row in with the measures we had in place for safety.’
She said that they were willing to comply, and delighted to be back.
Back at square one, for at
least three weeks, the closure hasn’t come as a surprise. ‘With the numbers we felt it was coming. It wasn’t a surprise, but it’s upsetting and very stressful, and we worry about our staff who are all on PUP payments now at a reduced rate.’
She said that she is concerned that the uncertainty and changes could have an effect on people’s mental health.
Sandie is not filled with confidence that they will be able to open their doors once again in three weeks. ‘Dublin should have been open and now they’re in another three weeks,’ she said. Sandie said that overall, she doesn’t feel the danger to people’s safety is arising in the pubs. ‘I know that lots of people are going to house parties,’ she said. ‘ The home bars are opening up in spare rooms and garage and they’re partying. People are socialising, and at least in the pub they will follow the guidance. They’re doing their own thing out there.’
The measures she and Derek and the team were taking included hourly cleaning of touch points, ensuring physical distancing, and placing hand sanitiser on each table.
‘I want to thank all the customers for coming back and I’m looking forward to seeing them soon,’ said Sandie. ‘It was lovely seeing everyone, it was such a buzz.’