Leighton-Linslade pubs gear up for reopening tomorrow

After more than three months of empty tables and chairs, some of the town’s publicans will be serving customers again this Saturday (July 4), as they look forward to catching up with their regulars and seeing familiar faces.

Pubs have been shut since March 21 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on March 20 that they needed to close due to the pandemic.

Since then, the town’s landlords and landladies have been working hard to put guidelines in place for the public’s return and are remaining optimistic about the weeks ahead.

When asked what people could expect when they return to The Bald Buzzard Micropub, landlord Phil Thompson said: “Lovely beer, lovely company, and people observing social distancing and washing their hands. We’re very aware that we need to focus on people’s safety and very aware that people are still coming for an afternoon or a night out; we are trying hard to combine the two.”

Phil and his wife Alison will be doing table service, cleaning surfaces and toilets regularly, using a contactless card machine, and making sure that customers only use one glass once before it is taken away to be washed.

The pub is admitting customers via reservations only and is already fully-booked for tomorrow - a good sign because the day marks a special occasion.

Phil added: “It is our fifth anniversary so there will be balloons, streamers and cakes - but mainly beer!

“We have told all our customers what to expect and we know exactly who is coming.

“Tomorrow is very much a trial run for us. We hope everybody has a good time and behaves sensibly; we want to combine safety with having fun.”

On June 23 the government announced that pubs, cafes and restaurants were to reopen on July 4 with a ‘one metre plus’ rule in England.

This was a welcome relaxation of social-distancing guidlines for many publicans, as several had expressed concerns about reopening with a two metre rule in place.

Roger Smith, owner of the White Horse in New Road, Linslade, said: “If it had stayed at two metres I wouldn’t be reopening, but I’m ready to go and I’ll be opening tomorrow. I’ve got a lot of sensible customers and I am looking forward to it.

“All measures and guidelines have been put in place and we will be pushing for people to do the Test and Trace.

“I’m sure things will change on a weekly basis; the government can’t give out guidelines for each specific pub, so we’ve got to use common sense. It’s just me and my wife for the first four days and we will be ironing out any points.”

White Horse customers will be able to enjoy a drink either seated inside or seated/standing outside in its garden.

Hand sanitiser will be available and there is an outside serving hatch so customers in the garden do not have to enter the bar area. Members of the public sat outside will also be able to access the toilets without going through the main area inside.

Football will be on the television but the volume will be turned down so punters don’t have to shout, while free music (instead of customers using the Jukebox) will playing at a lower volume.

Roger added: “If the worst comes to the worst I can close the front door and put a sign up saying that we’re at full capacity. The garden is also walled, so people can’t just wander in; we’ll be able to police things.

“It’s predominantly a locals pub and they all know my phone number. I’m not taking bookings, so if people give me a bell I can turn round and say ‘yes, we’ve got space’. I won’t do reservations, unless they want to come at 3pm and it’s ten to three; again, it’s all about common sense.”

Meanwhile, back in town at The Golden Bell, Church Square, landlady Lisa Drew is gearing up for reopening tomorrow.

Lisa told the LBO: “We are one of the few that are opening [this Saturday] so we’re a bit nervous. We’re taking bookings just first come first served.

“We have got government guidelines in place and we have done full staff training.

“The problem is we can take as many precautions as we can and follow the rules to mitigate as many risks as possible, but it’s also up to customers to take responsibility: to keep washing their hands, to make sure they keep away from other people, and to stay in their support bubbles.”

At The Golden Bell there will be table service only and customers will be able to order and pay online via their phones if they wish.

Those from different households will be seated outside and punters are also encouraged to take part in the Track and Trace system.

Lisa added: “All our staff have been really understanding. They’ve really got so on board. They will all have new uniforms and a lot of PPE.

“They’ve gone through everything - how to manage queues, which products to clean with...

“We’re as ready as we are ever going to be and we’ve had three months to think about things and to get things in place.”

She added: “Ideally, I’d not open on a Saturday, but some of our regulars are champing at the bit! My advice to customers would be that things are going to be a different experience - for example, there won’t be live music. It doesn’t mean it’s not going to be fun. It’s just quieter fun!”

Before heading to town this Saturday, please check with your local to see whether they are fully booked and if they are open yet. For example, The Black Lion is currently planning to reopen on July 15 if all safety measures are in place, while fellow town centre pub The Red Lion is yet to announce a date.

Indeed, for another LBO Land pub, although it is reopening on Saturday, it is going down an exciting new route.

Management at The Dukes pub and restaurant at Heath and Reach have decided they will not be reopening as a public bar on Saturday.

Instead, Sarah Smith, who has managed The Dukes for the last four years, plans to reopen from Saturday as an event only venue, to enable government rules covering reopening to be followed.

The decision follows an opportunity to completely rethink the future of The Dukes during lockdown, with staff being furloughed.

“We will be open for events only, Dukes events or your own private events.” Sarah said.

“This means that when you book us for your event, you will have the opportunity of exclusive use. You can book Dukes events on our app or by calling us.

“Specific information on each event will be published online, and this will enable us to provide more varied and exciting menus.”

So that The Dukes can guarantee never being overcrowded, no one will be able to visit without booking. The venue will operate with reduced capacity and only up to 30 people can be accommodated for an event.

Inside and outside tables can be arranged so customers can be next to friends and family. Visitors indoors should be at tables in their household groups, support bubbles or with only one other household. Outdoors, visitors can join up to five other people from different households at one table.

“We will be asking all guests to sanitise or wash their hands on arrival, and to be patient with cleaning in between bookings.” said Sarah.

“Every visitor will be required to enter their name, mobile number and email address into a data collection form online using their own device. This will enable us to assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for data if needed.

“And there will be table service only - no more waiting at the bar. You will be able to order and pay via our app or by calling, texting or emailing us. Or you can order in the usual way from a waiter who will be wearing a mask and gloves at a respectable distance from you”.

Residents using the accommodation at the Dukes featured on Channel Four in March will find fridges and microwaves in their rooms, and will be able to book room service up to 7.30pm in the evening.

“We are so looking forward to the reopening and being able to welcome people back to The Dukes after such a long period of lockdown, but we are not out of the woods yet and we are still subject to tight regulations for the benefit of our customers and staff, which we hope our clients will understand and appreciate.” Sarah concluded. “We have had a lot of time to think through the way forward for us and we’re confident that our plans will bring back the fun as well as the pleasure of being able to meet up over a glass or a great meal.”