Pubs in Newark and Sherwood prepare to welcome back their customers

Pub landlords have spent the week preparing to throw open their doors to drinkers this weekend, while ensuring government guidelines are met.

The government has given the go-ahead for pubs and restaurants to open from Saturday, but has imposed strict criteria.

At The Old Post Office on Kirkgate, Newark, general manager Adam Glover said the pub’s owners, Stonegate, had been working on a safe way of reopening since March 20 when Boris Johnson ordered pubs to stop serving.

A queueing system will operate at the Kirkgate entrance with customers escorted inside by a host when it is their turn.

They will be assigned a table and waited upon or have the ability to order through a new app.

The pub, which will have reduced opening hours, will be run on a one-way system with the exit to the rear beer garden on to Paxton’s Court.

Only a certain number of people will be allowed in the toilets at any one time and hand washing is encouraged.

Tables are spaced apart in line with the latest government recommendations.

There will be more staff than usual, some of whom will be drink or food runners, and one of whom will be a ‘PPE champion’ cleaning down tables, touchpoints and the bar.

“I would ask people to use their common sense ­— like Boris says, follow the rules,” said Mr Glover.

“At the end of the day, the safety of our customers and staff is the most important thing.”

The landlord of the Dur-ham Ox, Orston, said he knew he had to get it right, or face being shut down.

The pub, which has been a hub of the village’s covid-19 response, will re-open with strict measures in place.

Mr Rick Bainbridge said the requirements would be strictly enforced and anyone who failed to adhere would be asked to leave.

“Our anxiety doesn’t come from becoming serving pub again, the anxiety comes from people behaving themselves,” said Mr Bainbridge.

There will be a meet and greet for customers. There will be no propping up the bar as people will be served at tables, inside and outside.

Customers will also have to give contact details for track and trace.

At Tom Browns Brasserie, Gunthorpe, seating inside and outside has been reduced to meet social distancing regulations.

There will be a waiting area for drinks, table service, and arrows on the floor addressing how to move around the pub, table service.

Adam Perkins, a director, said they also hoped to open an outside bar following the success of the takeaway service offered during the lockdown.