Northampton pub closed as precautionary measure announces re-opening date

A popular pub that chose to shut after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 has announced its re-opening plans.

The Hart in Harlestone Road, Duston closed from last Friday (July 24) after its 12 employees were told to self-isolate due to being in close contact with the member of staff who had tested positive.The pub was not ordered to shut down by NHS Test and Trace, but did so anyway as a precaution as well as lack of staff availability.

Originally, bosses planned to re-open this week by borrowing employees from its other pubs, however they have now made the decision to remain closed until The Hart staff have finished self-isolating.

In a message on Facebook, bosses said: “We would like to update you on our plans to re-open.

“We had initially planned to re-open utilising staff from our sister pubs. However, with a busy weekend ahead they are unable to spare the number of staff we would need to operate effectively.

“We have therefore decided to re-open on Thursday 6th August with our own team, who can’t wait to welcome you back next week.”

Previously, Michael Thomas, director of the pub, told the Chronicle & Echo: “We handed over all our customer’s details to NHS Test and Trace and they made the decision not to contact them.

“There is strict protocol around this and it is not our decision to make, whether to contact customers or not.

“Test and Trace were happy with our measures that are in place so we were allowed to stay open. We could have brought in staff from one of our other pubs.

“It was a harsh decision but we decided to close as precaution and as it’s summer and busy so we didn’t want to take employees from elsewhere.

"We didn’t have enough people to open safely and effectively this weekend and it would be irresponsible to open with understaffed chaos."

The pub will be thoroughly deep cleaned before welcoming back customers next Thursday (August 6).

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