It was brilliant... it was busy
LANDLORDS OF COUNTY PUBS THAT REOPENED TOAST POST-LOCKDOWN CUSTOMERS WHO HELPED KEEP STAFF AND EACH OTHER SAFE AT WEEKEND
ACROSS Leicestershire and beyond, pubs and restaurants were able to reopen their doors to customers on July 4, after being closed for more than three months.
In the city of Leicester and surrounding areas, the local lockdown meant many venues were not able to open as originally planned, and out in the county, some pubs decided to remain closed for the time being.
There were, however, a large number of pubs and restaurants that eagerly welcomed back customers on what was dubbed “Super Saturday”.
We spoke to a number of them to find out what it was like.
THE STAG AND HOUNDS, Burrough on the Hill
This pub, close to Melton Mowbray, reopened on Saturday with food service recommencing on Sunday.
According to chef and owner Dom Clarke - who launched the venue in September 2019 - the reopening went very well.
“We were busy but always felt in control. I didn’t cook Saturday and spent the day meeting guests and explaining the pub rules,” he told the Mercury.
“People were great and more than happy to do what it took to get back into the swing of things.
“All guests sanitised on entry to the pub, the tables were all spaced accordingly and people stuck to the ones they were taken to.
“We had sanitising stations dotted around and plenty of antibacterial sprays for the hard surfaces too.
“Regular cleaning around the place seemed to put people at ease as they saw the effort being put into keeping them safe.”
Post-lockdown, the pub can actually accommodate more people than before (35 inside and 45 outside) due to the changes made whilst the pub was shut.
“We used lockdown to finish some improvements in the pub, so whilst we have lost some covers in the main bar area, we’ve gained a new room that was previously unused so our seating capacity has increased,” said Dom.
“We tried to group people together in rooms where they were friends with each other.
“This helped to create the atmosphere they had been wanting since this all started.
“It was brilliant to reopen the doors again and hear the pub full of laughter.
“People seem over the moon to be back and have shown us so much love over the weekend. It’s really been lovely to be a part of after the last few months.
“Hopefully we can build on this and keep the momentum going.”
Market Harborough micropub Beerhouse opened its doors again on Saturday, and according to manager
‘EVERYONE WAS MORE THAN UNDERSTANDING’: Left, Dom Clarke from the Stag and Hounds and Adam and Stacey Ward from Fourwards at Ashfields