Calderdale pub owners relieved to be back open but wary of what the future holds

Diane Baxter, manager of The Bridge pub, said: “It’s been fine, obviously it’s different, but we’ve gone with the flow, we’ve had our regulations in place and people have adhered to them.

“We’ve been busy, but not overcrowded because we limited our numbers.

“We get a lot of regulars and they’ve all come back and looked after each other and socially distanced.

“You come in one door and go out another door, the bar’s been cordoned off so people don’t come to the bar.

“You get your drink at the bar and you walk away to your table.

“It’s harder for the customers than us I think, the ones that stand at the bar and chat away, to say to them ‘you can’t stand there, you’ve got to move away’.

“But they’ve done it and respected it. Hopefully it won’t last that long, but we’ll keep doing it as long as we’re told to.

“We’ve got to stay open and recoup some of the money we’ve lost.

“There are quite a few regular customers who aren’t prepared to come out yet because they don’t feel safe, especially the older ones, but hopefully they’ll come back when the government says they can.”

Michael Ainsworth, from The Grayston Unity bar in Halifax, said: “There’s definitely a relief (from owners) that they could re-open but I don’t think the financial aspect of it has gone away.

“If we’re still at one metre distancing come the Autumn then I think the impact on businesses is really going to be felt.

“The best anybody’s been able to do is just about survive and if you’ve got high rents or no outdoor space then you’re going to be really up against it.

“We had two downpours on Sunday so for anybody who has outdoor spaces, that clears everyone out.

“We’re all adapting. There’s been a lot of scrutiny about pubs re-opening but the vast majority of licensed premises were well managed.

“It’s an extension of what we have to do asd licensees in carrying out legal requirements and providing a safe and well managed environment.

“But if it goes on long-term it’s going to be very challenging for businesses to keep going.”

Gig Nilavongse, from the Golden Lion pub in Todmorden, said: “It was really good, ours was a really positive re-opening. Elsewhere it’s been quite toxic and there’s been a fear that it would spread germs, but for us it was more bringing everyone together but in a safe way.

“It was just like a normal Friday or Saturday. The only problem is if people don’t know the guidance like we do, like not getting too close or pulling tables together.

“When people get drunk it can be a bit messy. But if you explain it to them nicely, they understand.

“It was very celebratory.

“As long as everyone sticks to the rules, then everyone’s happy.”