At last.. a pint in the pub as rules relaxed
Friends and families celebrate together for first time this year
West Lothian took another step towards freedom this week as restrictions were lifted to allow indoor gatherings with friends and family – and pints inside the pub for the first time since last year.
The county joined most of the rest of Scotland on Monday in moving down to level 2, allowing up to six people from three households to socialise indoors in a private home or garden without physical distancing.
Six people can also now meet in a hospitality venue and eight people from eight houses can meet outdoors.
Livingston’s Vue cinema opened on Monday, while Bathgate Cinema will welcome back film buffs from tomorrow (Friday).
And people in West Lothian took full advantage of the new rules to enjoy a cold pint in their local pub and a game of bingo.
Barmaid Sarah Stachini, who works at the Westport bar in Bathgate, said she was delighted to welcome back regulars as the pub didn’t have a beer garden so hadn’t been able to open earlier in the month.
She said: “It’s so good to be open, I’ve really missed everybody. We’ve got our regular customers that come in, so just to know they’re alright as been amazing.
“We’ve been really busy. We weren’t really sure what to expect or how it would be, but it was really good just to be busy again.”
One of the biggest things many people said they have missed in lockdown is getting together for a game of bingo and Carlton Bingo is Livingston expected a full house after being allowed to open on Monday.
General manager Lauren
Wallbanks said the club had only been open for a total of just 43 days during the course of the pandemic.
She continued: “We are re-opening with the same restrictions in place as when we closed although, like other indoor hospitality venues, we are subject to maximum numbers to ensure safety is maintained.
“The safety of everyone remains our top priority. It’s been a long, hard road for everyone over the last year.
“Aside from the obvious financial pressure this has put Carlton under, the key impact has been felt by our employees and our customers.
“Our employees have had to endure the last year on furlough whilst, for many of our customers, bingo is a lifeline for them, especially the more elderly customers many of whom live alone and have had to endure the last year being apart from family as well as their friends at the bingo.
“Having said this, we will re-open with confidence for the future, not least because our fantastic employees and customers will ensure the bingo numbers keep getting called in Livingston.”
Bingo regular Sadie Gordon agreed it was great to back, saying she was “enjoying every minute”.
From Monday, all 14 local libraries and the local history reference library began to accept appointments for browsing.
PC access, photocopying, printing and hearing aid services will also resume by appointment.
Leader of West Lothian Council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, said: “This is another step forward as local services re-emerge.
“We know how important libraries and community museums are to local people and I’m sure thus news will be warmly welcomed.”