Pub chain couple reveal the pressure of lockdown and challenges of re-opening

Speaking to local broadcaster Paul Stainton in the latest of his ‘Lockdown Interviews’ in association with the Peterborough Telegraph, Michael and Sophie Thurlby who own the Knead Group of pubs and hotels have spoken about the impact of the pandemic on their businesses.

The Knead Group includes six pubs and one hotel across Stamford, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Newark. The group includes The Crown Hotel, Paten & Co and the Tobie Norris in Stamford as well as Smith’s and the Jubilee Garage in Bourne, the Prince Rupert in Newark and The Lord Nelson in Oakham.

Lockdown saw a sudden closure of all their outlets which were stocked ready for Mother’s Day bookings. Staff have been furloughed and loans have helped the business survive during lockdown.

Now the couple’s outlets have had new seating plans, hand sanitiser units installed and other changes to allow customers back for the first time over the weekend.

Sophie said: “We’ve got PPE for all the staff and we can offer it to customers as well if they want to wear it. We’ve gone for anti-bacterial wipes that are Covid-proof, just to do door handles. Things that everyone can touch we have got to make sure we do the cleaning.”

Michael said the biggest concern facing businesses like Knead Group is another lockdown being required.

“The biggest disaster is if we get shut down again,” he said. “After we’ve re-stocked the cellars, re-stocked the kitchens and brought everyone back.”

Watch the full interview here.