Chesterfield pubs 'can't wait' to reopen doors to thirsty drinkers

Watering holes across the town will reopen their doors on July 4 after the Government’s announcement of a further relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

However, pub-goers should expect ‘a very different experience’ and are being urged to be patient with staff as everyone adjusts to the ‘new normal’.

Tom O'Neill and Kate Simpson, owners of The Pig & Pump pub, said the support of customers during the lockdown ‘really has kept us going’.

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“From July 4 we will be operating in a world we have never experienced before and we ask our customers to bear with us, be kind and listen to instructions on arrival,” they said.

“We can’t wait to be back serving cask ales, serving fabulous food and catching up with our customers. Not long to go!”

Tom and Kate have spent £45,000 to make the St Mary’s Gate venue safe for customers, introducing protective screens on the bar, PPE for staff, table service, sanitising stations, and a socially distanced outside queuing system.

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They are also renovating the outside area to create more seating for customers.

“We have been given 11 days to complete making our venue Covid safe if we want to make the opening date deadline of July 4,” they added.

“As publicans we are used to running on adrenaline, dealing with problems as they arise, having every shift being slightly different from the last. It's a challenging sector at the best of times without dealing with a global pandemic too.

“But it’s in our blood to rise to the challenge and do everything we can to make our pub safe, cosy, warm and welcoming to our loyal customers and staff who we have missed incredibly, whilst still operating to very tight profit margins.”

Emma Clarke, landlady of the Chesterfield Arms, said she was hoping to introduce a range of new measures to keep people safe – from remodelling the beer garden to increase capacity, to trialling a new app so people could order drinks from their table.

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“It has been difficult at times because obviously we weren’t sure if it would be 1m or 2m on social distancing,” Emma said.

“We can normally accommodate 150 people but now we’re looking at 50 to 75 people.

“It will be very different but safety is our number one concern. We’ll have plastic screens at the bar and limiting what people can touch.”

Bosses at The Barley Mow, at Wingerworth, said they were also ‘excited’ at the prospect of reopening to regulars.

“Plans are underway to ensure all Government advice and guidance is adhered too,” they posted on Facebook.

The Tupton Tap, on the A61 near Tupton, told customers: “We’re currently updating our ‘reopening plan’ in accordance with new Government guidelines to ensure you and our staff are safe.”

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