“It’s hard to know who will survive and who won’t” - Calderdale pub owners relieved to be open for business but concerns remain over the future

It was announced this week that pubs can still open, but that the 10pm curfew, and a ban on a mixing of households indoors will be imposed.

Andrew Gardener, owner of The Market Tavern in Brighouse, said he may be forced to close.

“We’re only small and we’ve managed to get groups of six in, but with these new regulations it’s going to be really, really difficult to get the numbers in to keep us going.

“It’s going to be groups of two or maybe four from the same household, rather than groups of six, so it’s going to make it really difficult to keep going.

“We were packed to the rafters most weekends, but we’re now probably going to get a tenth of what we used to in. Maybe a dozen people tops with the new regulations.

“It’s devastating, we’ve been here nearly five years now and built up a really good little business.

“It’s a nice, friendly place with nice people, and if we have to close it’s going to be horrible.

”It’s inevitable that some pubs will close because you just can’t keep on having no revenue for months on end.

“I think there’s quite a few that still haven’t re-opened.

“There are definitely going to be fewer pubs. It’s hard to know who will survive and who won’t.

“The bigger companies are the ones with the most chance of keeping going.

“Small businesses like ourselves, there’s a good chance a lot of them will go under.”

Euan Noble, owner of The Millers Bar, said: “Currently, we are fortunate to still be able to trade compared to other places in the country and appreciate how hard it is for everyone who has had to close. The challenge of trying to keep community focal points open, keep staff employed and balance the increase in infections is an unenviable task.

“Thankfully our customers - who have been amazing - and our team all understand the constraints we are working under to keep everyone safe and it’s working well. That’s all thanks to our safety systems like hand sanitising, repeated hand washing, wearing masks at all times until seated to eat or drink, continual cleaning of the premises and one way systems to help maintain social distancing.

“During the past couple of weeks we have seen a drop in footfall like many other places, which could either be attributed to the time of year or the reticence of people to go to hospitality venues due to the uncertainty surrounding what life might look like from week to week. I’d personally encourage people to pay The Millers Bar a visit and see for themselves just how far we’ve gone to not only make our venue as safe as possible, but still provide a first class service and experience.

“I just hope that the Prime Minister and Chancellor are able to help all businesses get through this economic mess we are in as we need more support packages to keep our staff employed, especially in the hospitality sector, through this period of gross uncertainty. Otherwise as a Government they are simply moving viable jobs to the universal credit system and contributing towards the closure of viable businesses which should not even be an option.”

Mel Kendall, who owns The Pub in Todmorden with her husband Glenn, said: “I’m really pleased that we don’t have to close.

“When we first re-opened we were doing OK, and then when the 10 o’clock curfew came in and the wearing of masks, that put people off.

“But we’re doing OK. I think we’ll all just have to live with it and try to get back to normal.

“Touch wood, we’ll survive.
“As long as we have the same amount of customers that have supported us through thick and thin then we should be OK.

“If there’s any opportunity for more help from the Government, we’d certainly apply for it, but I can’t see there being so I think it’s just suck it and see now, and hopefully we don’t become a casualty.

“There are a lot of pubs in Calderdale that probably won’t survive.

“We’ve looked at doing takeaway services or deliveries, which some other pubs have done.

“In hard times you’ve got to do what you can.

“We might have to look at outdoor space if restrictions are tightened up on indoor seating.

“But I know a lot of businesses won’t survive, which is such a shame.

“And I think a lot of the big pub firms are struggling too.

“We’re probably fortunate being independent and self-financing so we’re not tied to extortionate rents or over-priced beer.”