How Peterborough’s village pubs are preparing for “roadmap” to reopening

Recent speculation has seen April or even later put forward as a reopening date, and suggestions that it might at first insist on outdoor service, which for those in outlying areas in particular might work. 

There have also been calls for a repeat of the summer’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme that saw around 300,000 meals devoured across the city.

Paul Smyth, is owner of the Queen’s Head at Nassington, a destination pub/restaurant with 10 bedrooms.

”The difficulty is we just don’t know what to expect,” he said.

”Not long ago Matt Hancock was saying Spring - so we started gearing up for that. And the vaccine is going great so maybe we are getting close. Now Boris Johnson says he is looking at data, not dates. So what do we do?”

While sympathetic of the impossible job the Government has faced dealing with Covid pandemic, he added:”Hospitality has been crushed and we have been offered very little assistance. The rates assistance helped but the VAT reduction was a false promise - it only helps if the business is open.

”We spent a lot of money to reopen the pub and restaurant  after the first lockdown, getting social distancing in place, then they shut us down again. 

“Then we had the whole tier system in December - we changed tiers at Christmas so that was Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve gone.

”Our function business has been decimated, weddings cancelled and moved later in the year, in some cases moved several times. It is awful.”

The Queens Head has a stunning riverside setting with large patio area, so in that respect Paul is one of the lucky ones if reopening comes with an “outside only” caveat, which has been widely rumoured.

”We have a decent location down by the river, we are blessed in respect of the outdoor space we have, so at least we could operate. But if we can’t serve beer or wine, as some have suggested might be the case, are people going to pop down for a few fizzy drinks?

”And the other thing is the weather has to be decent - this is England, who can guarantee good weather?

”We are hanging on and we will do what we can when we can.”
Heidi Semple at the Pack Horse, in Northborough, is looking forward to finding out when she can reopen and to being given a “fighting chance” by the Government.

“We are chomping at the bit to reopen,” said Heidi, whose pub/restaurant has plenty of room in the garden. 

“Another incentive like the Eat Out scheme would be very welcome, however, I feel they will be cautious,” she added.

“We just need restrictions lifted as much as possible to give us a fighting chance of recovery.”
There is no shortage of space at The Dog in A Doublet, near Whittlesey and John McGinn will put it to good use  just as soon as he can.

”To be honest I would rather we waited longer to be able to open as normal straight away,” he said.

“We’re all fed up with investing time, money and energy in something that will change again the next month. “We will be ready at the Dog with new al fresco kitchens, outside dining areas, a new carpark, and a new petting zoo but I am really concerned that the same start, stop, start, stop rules will return.” 
Will Frankgate is another with plenty of  outdoor seating at The Blue Bell in Glinton.

”If what we are hearing is correct, gardens at this time of year obviously come with their own restrictions; mainly weather-wise,” he pointed out.

“We know that should this be the case, this will hinder a lot of the hospitality industry from opening due to lack or outdoor space or in some cases, none at all.  

“Restrictions may also require garden entrance rather than access through the building, which a lot of establishments are logistically unable to provide. Access to facilities such as toilets may also be an area which needs to be addressed.   

“We should all have a bit of a clearer picture come Monday which will hopefully allow us to start making preparations where we possibly can.  It will be great for us to be able to refocus on re-opening, and we will do all we can to ensure we adapt accordingly with whatever that process will be.”
Stuart Johnson, at the Golden Pheasant pub/restaurant in Etton is another who can’t wait to get back to business, but is not sure about the al fresco approach - or the weather - and would like to see the Government back the industry in other ways.

”We have the space, and lots of it to cater for people outside, but we will be relying on something beyond our control which is the British weather,” he said.

”Another Eat Out To Help Out, yes, the industry need something to help us back on our feet, but I feel an extended 5% on food VAT would be better (than packing pubs and restaurants three days a week).

“Plus they gave us a free year’s business rate but closed us for most of the year so they should look at extending this relief too.”