Here's what drinkers can expect as Wellingborough pubs re-open their doors on July 4

Wellingborough landlords, licensees, proprietors and managers are preparing to pull their first pints for pub-starved punters desperate for a sit down in their local.

But popping for a pint will not be the same with measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus put in place for the safety of staff and customers meaning a new experience for anyone who sets foot in a hostelry.

New rules in Wellingborough pubs include table service, one-way systems, ordering apps, table booking, reduced food menus and an emphasis on outdoor seating areas.

Proprietors Mark and Helen Gee who run The Crown Pub on the corner of Senwick Road and Irthlingborough Road have been preparing the pub for re-opening using Mark's expertise as a health and safety manager.

He said: "The pub is spotless. We have our systems in place and I'm as confident as I can be with our health and safety measures.

"Customers will be greeted at the door by one of our team and they will be shown to a table. Our primary drinking and eating area is the pub garden but weather depending we have a new inside table area.

"We have taped off our sports bar so we can have a strict one-way entry and exit system in place."

Customers are being encouraged to book a table in advance with three slots available 12 noon to 3pm; 3pm to 6pm and 6pm until 9pm when the pub closes.

The pub will be running a table service.

Mark said: "Obviously extensions can be made to these times for customers to stay longer if tables haven't been booked.

"The pub will close every night at 9pm because as it gets darker, the people have drunk more we want to keep people safe and it will be easier for us to manage."

Helen said: "People will be able to get some cold snacks and we hope to re-open our kitchen in a couple of weeks time.

"We are desperate to get back to offering our family fun days and our wedding receptions and party venue service but that will have to wait."

In the town centre, landlord of The Coach and Horses in Oxford Street, John Eames who has been offering a take-out service throughout will open the doors to the award-winning pub at 12 noon on Saturday.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it. We will have queuing at the door and a bell system so people can come in to be seated. We can have 140 people outside and 55 indoors as long as people are keeping their distance.

"A table service will run in busy times and we will have two bars open - one inside and one outdoors - and I'm going to be very strict."

Nearby in Cannon Street the Cannon Arms will be opening from 11am where customers will be asked for the names and addresses.

Landlady Carol Strout said: "It's scary. We don't know what to expect. I've got one of my girls coming back to help me and I've had loads of customers who are coming back.

"We're lucky because we've got a beer garden."

Round the corner in Knox Road, The Ranelagh Arms, landlord Chris O'Reilly will be opening to customers at 12 noon.

He said: "You can still sit inside but I've got 12 tables outside. I'm not sure what to expect and I'm going to play it by ear."

Another pub making use of their outdoor area is The Queens Head in Broad Green where a newly landscaped garden will welcome returning clients.

The pub will open at 12 noon with food being served at two sittings - 12 noon to 2.30pm and 5pm to 8pm.

Brendan O'Rourke, operations manager, said: "We're looking forward to it and a sense of normality. We're running on a first come, first served basis.

"We now have extra capacity with our beer garden. People will be able to order drinks using an app for table service.

"We can have 67 people indoors and 84 outside. Everyone is welcome."

The Hind Hotel Bar in Tithe Barn Lane will also be re-opening on July 4 from 12 noon where the hotel car park has been adapted as a seating area.

Carly Bartram, duty general manager and licensee, said: "We're hoping for good weather.

"People will be asked to provide their names and phone numbers and we will be running a table service although we will have an outside bar from 3pm."

A few doors down the street, The Horseshoe will be opening their doors at the usual time of 10am. People will be able to book a table as well as just walk in for food, as well as drinks.

Up the street, it will be an early start for manager Ben Gardiner who will be opening up The Redwell in Silver Street at 8am for breakfast trade, with drinks available from 9am.

Part of the Wetherspoons chain, the pub will be open until midnight.

He said: "We will have a restricted menu so the kitchen staff don't cross over, people will be able to use our app for table service, and we will have a one-way system."

Further out of town, and only open for pre-booked diners will be The Priory in Bourton Way which opens at 12 noon.

Manager Nicola Scott said: "We are looking forward to it and seeing the regulars again. We're the only pub that is opening this side of town so it's going to be interesting.

"We are going to be very strict. If they give us hassle at the door they won't even get in.

"If everybody understands that it's not going to be the same. You can't just get up and walk around. Our soft play area won't be open either."

Operating on a smaller scale, is micro pub The Little R'ale House, based at Wellingborough Railway Station.

Jim Wiltshire, the landlord, will be re-opening on Saturday to invited guests only for a 'soft' re-opening.

They shall be debuting their new beer garden to increase the capacity of the bijou venue.

He said: "We had a visit from EMR (East Midlands Railways) who did a risk assessment and they are happy with the volume of people we can accommodate."

Northamptonshire Police have urged drinkers to be sensible and to stick to the new measures.

Chief Superintendent Ash Tuckley, the officer overseeing the policing operation in response to the re-opening of the night time economy, said: "We know people will be looking forward to going out after such a long time but please be sensible and help newly re-opened businesses out by abiding by the Covid-19 regulations and knowing your limits in regards to alcohol.

“We have been working with local businesses and our partners for some time now to ensure that the re-opening of the night time economy passes off safely and the key advice I want to communicate to people is to know your limits, plan your day and consider how you will get home safely.

“The vast majority of drinkers are responsible but we know that there will be a small minority who will try and ruin it for others by drinking to excess and trying to create disorder.

“Let me be clear that we will not tolerate any anti-social or criminal behaviour and we have plans in place in order to quickly respond to any incidents of concern.

“I am also urging people to be mindful of the fact that Covid-19 is still a serious risk to people’s health and that we all need to adhere to the measures local businesses will have put in place to mitigate the spread of the disease.

“Finally, I know the majority of people will be looking forward to an enjoyable and safe night out and I want to reassure them that your local police officers will be on hand throughout the weekend if you have any issues or need to make us aware of any incidents of concern.”

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