Popular pub’s strict post-lockdown rules
BAN ON STANDING UP WHILE DRINIKING FOR PUNTERS
PLANS to reopen one of the East Riding’s most popular pubs have been revealed - and it includes a ban on drinking while standing up.
Like all pubs, The Duke of York in Sutton was forced to close in March as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, but its owners decided against taking the first chance to welcome customers back.
While most venues relaunched on July 4, what has been dubbed “Super Saturday”, the Sutton pub’s managers opted to hold off for a week.
Bosses have since confirmed that they plan to reopen this Friday, but have shared a long list of rules that drinkers must follow.
Any customers that flout the guidance “will be asked to leave the premises”, according to management.
As well as a ban on all drinking while standing up, parents will have to keep a close watch on children, who will be unable to leave their designated table unless accompanied by an adult.
Part of the pub will be sectioned off specifically for table service, while those wanting to sit in the beer garden or bar must use a special “pay and collect”.
Unlike many bar and pub owners that prepared themselves for a huge influx on Saturday by making their venue only available to people who pre-booked, The Duke of York’s owners say there will be some capacity for people to turn up without notice.
Sharing their new rules on social media, bosses said: “It’s been a long time coming and we look forward to welcoming you all back with some guidelines in place. We will be opening at reduced opening hours”.
The rules are as follows:
■■It will be operating a “wait to be seated” system upon entrance to the pub.
■■You will be asked to sanitise your hands and one guest per table to leave your contact details for track and trace.
■■Booking isn’t essential, but walk-in will be on a first come first served basis.
■■It will be a seated-only pub and no standing and drinking will be permitted anywhere inside the pub. ■■The lounge will be table service only and the bar and beer garden will operate a one-at-a-time pay and collect area in the bar. ■■Children must be kept at the table at all times unless accompanied by an adult.
Bookings will be limited to threehour slots. Times may be reduced on a walk-in basis dependent on other bookings.
■■Tables will be limited to six guests.
■■It will also be operating a oneway system where possible.
While significantly altering the pub experience was unavoidable, The Duke of York will have a “new and improved” menu when it relaunches at noon on Friday.
“We understand things will be a lot different to what our customers are used to, all we ask is for your safety and for ours, people adhere to these guidelines and understand these are the rules put in place to enable us to open to you all again,” the online update read.
“Any customers flouting these guidelines will be asked to leave the premises.
“We look forward to welcoming you all back.”