Brigg pubs and licensed clubs will be able to reopen exactly four weeks from now - on a limited basis. Partial lifting of Coronavirus emergency lockdown restrictions by the government will take effect "no earlier than April 12."
Many pub owners, landlords, landladies and club committees across the UK are now working towards this date by preparing their premises, although only 'outdoor hospitality' will be permitted; customers must order, eat and drink while seated (what's called ‘table service’).
We should make it clear that reopening bars is a matter for each pub or club to consider; it's not mandatory.
However, the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, and the Woolpack, in the Market Place, have already started work on refurbishing their rear beer gardens, and we've made arrangements with 'mine hosts' to photograph the finished products to share in due course.
The Woolie also holds a pavement licence, permitting it to put out tables for customers adjoining its frontage (see picture above). It will serve its first post-lockdown drinks, outdoors, at 11am on Monday, April 12.
The national Wetherspoon chain, which owns and operates Wrawby Street's White Horse with its large south-facing rear beer garden, has already indicated that it intends to reopen pubs across the UK on that date.
Looking further ahead to when bars will be allowed to fully reopen, some Brigg venues which provide live music gigs are already busy signing up singers to perform.
The Woolpack has pencilled in a return by popular singer Jo on Saturday evening, July 3.
Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, on Coney Court, has booked rockabilly band Relentless for Saturday, July 17, while singer Emma Ramsden will be there on Saturday, August 7.
There will also be a Rob Bishop Charity Night at the club on Saturday, August 21, featuring hit songs from the 1950s through to the 1980s.
The Sutton Arms in Scawby has announced that it will be reopening in April (outdoor service only for the first four weeks). Saturday night live music is planned, with a pub quiz on Sunday nights; details to be announced.
In future posts we'll look at local restaurants emerging from lockdown and the so-called non-essential shops in Brigg.
