Reopening of pubs indoors 'like welcoming people back home'
We've been speaking to a pub in York about the next easing of lockdown restrictions.
Last updated 17th May 2021
People across York and North Yorkshire can once again enjoy a pint and a meal INSIDE a pub from today.
It's part of the roadmap out of lockdown restrictions, and it also means people won't have to order a 'substantial meal' alongside an alcoholic drink.
The Government guidance sets out the latest phase: "In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and businesses may not cater for groups bigger than the legal limits. Indoor hospitality will reopen - and as in Step 2, venues will not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor will there be a curfew. Customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated".
Lisa Brown is the Manager of the Mended Drum pub in York, and says it'll mean a lot to customers to be able to go back inside a pub: "We've got a lot of work going on inside, and we're excited.
"People are quite used to the rules now, and I think it'll be harder for people to think 'oh yeah, I can actually sit in the bar now'. It'll take some acclimatising.
"My team and suppliers have been incredible, and my customers have been fantastic. We've been so lucky; when we were shut in March last year a local came around within three days with an app to help us do takeaways.
"Our team are all exhausted because they haven't stopped! We're ready to go. It's been good in a way that we've had a soft opening with outdoor service because we have a good space here, but not everyone has that.
"People need to be able to go inside a pub again. It's part of what is quintessentially British and we need to get them back up and running, and to be able to have that social element back in our lives.
"People are really excited about coming back indoors - it's their home. To have people back in that home and that safe environment will be so lovely.
"We went from seeing hundreds of people a week last year to not a soul; it was a real culture shock. To be able to welcome families back is going to be great".