Viability and safety remain key to Peterborough pubs reopening in July

Despite early indications from the Government that pubs may be allowed to reopen in some capacity from July 4, many feel opening will not be viable if capacities are reduced and that the drinks industry will face unfair scrutiny.

Darren Peachey, a director of Peterborough-based Venture Pubs Company, which leases 16 pubs in the region, said operating under strict social distancing measures would be a real challenge.

“Firstly, we will have to weigh up whether it would be worth opening at all under these circumstances when our capacity will probably be 50% at best. Once we start turning the pubs back on for business and incurring fixed costs that we find hard to control, we may be better off staying closed. The majority of pubs need to run at full capacity to make any sort of profit as our overheads are very high. We are one of the most highly taxed sectors in the country.

“Also, if we have to invest in equipment such as screens for the bar, shielding for outside, doormen to control social distancing etc. then it will definitely not be viable to open.

“The discussions that I have had throughout the industry, whether it be with the breweries or other publicans, I think we all agree that social distancing in pubs cannot, and will not be policed successfully.

“We all feel that the social distancing measures undertaken by other industries are not adequate and are not being adhered to. Once the pubs open we feel that we will be under the microscope whereas others are not.

“If any pubs decide to open then controlling people once they have had a few drinks will be virtually impossible. People have a lot of built up frustrations and just want to get out, which is understandable. The responsibility of people’s actions should not fall solely on the pub business itself and the public need to take responsibility too.

“Only when we know the true extent of the measures that we are called on to undertake will the pubs decide whether it is viable or not to open. We all want to open but sadly it may not be until social distancing is relaxed.”

Darren, who runs the business with wife Carly, said he felt the Government had done a good job of reducing the spread of the virus and that in the next few months people should be allowed out more and make their own decisions on what they want to do.

“If they want to come to the pub and they know the risks then they should be able to do that. Anyone that is known to be, or believed to be vulnerable should take more care or stay at home and we should all pull together to look after them.

“We are a nation of people that have our own minds and have the ability to weigh up situations and make our own decisions based on what is put in front of us. If people feel scared or threatened to come to the pub then please don’t come. If you feel like the risk is very low and you want to live your life how you want to then please come to the pub.”

Venture Pubs include The Dragon in Werrington and The Lime Tree in Paston, and Darren said he was taken aback by the support shown by people for their ‘local’.

“My landlords and landladies have told me many stories of people helping out with free paint, furniture, flooring etc. as we have taken this opportunity to refurbish and improve all of our pubs. We as a business have invested in the pubs and subsequently the people as we believe this situation we have all had to endure has opened a lot of peoples eyes and changed their views on how we should live our lives.”

John McGinn, who owns the Dog in a Doublet, between Peterborough and Whittlesey, echoed a lot of what Darren said.

“I don’t think the July 4th opening is very realistic to be honest,” he said. “I certainly do not feel that it will apply to pubs and restaurants. They are suggesting that it will apply to cafes first which seems a little unfair as socially there is little difference. They have also suggested that there could be a restriction on customers allowed into such premises. This has been absolutely shunned by our industry as most premises work on a capacity business model, so you will have the same staff and bills for maybe half the customers (as is happening in Sweden and its not working!).”

John, who runs the pub, restaurant and B&B with wife Della, has been operating a takeaway service for part of the week to keep money coming in. He added: “All we can do is keep adapting our business to suit the restrictions and situation at present and it looks like the best option for us coming up is to become a cafe for a while.!

Tom Beran, who owns city centre from micro pub The Bumble Inn, believed publicans faced some very difficult decision on where it would be viable to reopen

“From a business point of view it is a scary time for pubs as currently we have been able to furlough our staff and many landlords have been flexible on rent,” he said.

“Social distancing in a pub would dramatically effect their viability and of course the atmosphere - though many loyal customers would be delighted to be able to visit their favourite pubs again.

“It is obvious that many, if not all pubs, would really struggle to maintain social distancing, and if they were able to then what effect would it have on their business?

“So pubs would have to decide on whether it is better to remain closed, and keep costs to a minimum, and hopefully safeguard their staff on furlough, or open under a revised model. This would depend on their personal business and financial situation.”

And Dave Williams who runs the Wonky Donkey micro pub in Fletton High Street,said he would base his decision to reopen on safety of customers and staff.

“Admittedly we are missing our customers but we will only open when it is safe to do so,” he said. “If July 4 is a date that we can open with restrictions then we’ll take it from there. However if we’re not happy with our social distancing measures we won’t bother.”