'It's been steady': First day back for Northampton pubs after second coronavirus lockdown

Trade has been steady but felt busier because every customer has to have a 'substantial meal' after the lockdown, according to a Northampton pub manager.

The hospitality sector was allowed to reopen today (Wednesday, December 2) following the second national shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, because Northamptonshire is in tier two, all punters must have food if they want to drink anything alcoholic and can only socialise with their own household.

Baiba Busmane, who runs The Market Tavern in Fish Street, said they are more of a drinking pub than an eating pub but they are giving it a go.

"It's been steady - every single person has to order food now so it feels a lot busier and busier for the staff who are bringing out plate after plate," she told the Chronicle & Echo.

"It's been okay, it's very calm and chilled and we've been taking pictures of our food to put on social media to show we're operating as a restaurant and not a pub.

"We're not a place to come to and get drunk anymore, you've got to come for a meal.

"We've not had too many issues, a couple walked out as they didn't realise they had to have food but otherwise people have been great."

Ms Busmane said some staff were pleased to be back while others were not looking forward to 'babysitting' punters and dealing with abuse from those who refuse to obey the rules.

"For the staff, it was very up and down during the lockdown: some were excited to come back as they were bored of being at home but some were less happy.

"But the reason is that sometimes we have to babysit the adults and explain the rules to them and some don't like the rules.

"Before the lockdown, we struggled with people who didn't want to follow the rules which made some staff not look forward to coming back but some wanted to get out of the house."

Not all pubs can reopen though. Because of the 'substantial meal' rule, those who do not do food have been left with no option but to remain closed.

NBs on Bridge Street was converted from a bar to a pub when standing was outlawed in the summer but will not be evolving again to keep trading.

Co-director Marc Sawer said: "NBs can't reopen as we can't serve food and all this stuff about the Scotch egg being a substantial meal and having 10 pints is not the case - we can't do that as they will shut us down."

Mr Sawer also runs The Church Restaurant on the same road as NBs, which will be re-opening tomorrow (Thursday) before only trading from Wednesday to Sunday to save money.

The businessman fears for the state of the hospitality industry but knows there are many other sectors which are struggling at the moment so he said there is little point in moaning.

"I think if we can get this weekend out of the way then people will have more confidence as there's good news about the vaccines, one being given the green light and another one looking likely to be approved soon too," he said.

"That will boost people's confidence a bit. But I do think there will be an awful lot of restaurants, bar and pubs that won't reopen."