TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL
As the nation’s bars and restaurants face months to come with little or no income and with thousands already closed, it’s time to Save Our Pubs. Here landlord ASHLEY McCARTHY reveals how the pandemic hit Ye Old Sun Inn, in Colton, North Yorks.
MY wife Kelly and I have owned the pub since 2004 and there is no doubt about it – this was our toughest year yet.
We opened when we could, but we were forced to adapt during the first lockdown where we opened as a shop, removing all the tables and chairs from the bar.
Being in a small village, and we’re the only business here, we delivered fresh meat and veg to those shielding which meant we could keep our suppliers on, and in the evenings we did takeaways.
It was new to everybody and we didn’t know how long it would go on for. At Christmas we were given the chance to reopen under Tier 2 and were grateful for that, but it was difficult to explain to our regulars why we couldn’t serve them their usual pint without a meal.
Now I’m so pleased that those rules have gone the next time around.
Right now we’re preparing to reopen on April 12, we’ve got lots of outside space with a marquee which will keep customers dry and warm.
People are chomping at the bit to get back to the pub and we can’t wait to welcome them back again; the old man sitting at the bar with his pint, the groups of guys and ladies coming in to socialise and have a good natter at tea time.
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