IF BRIGG PUBS CAN REOPEN 'AL FRESCO' IN APRIL IT MIGHT BE COLD COMFORT FOR CUSTOMERS

Suggestions that the Government might lift some Coronavirus emergency restrictions on pubs in early April won't have raised the spirits of all potential bar visitors Brigg where all licensed premises remain closed at present due to Lockdown 3.
Following recent claims at national media level that pubs will be allowed to serve customers outdoors from Easter, some hospitality chains have pointed out that's of little use in view of the British weather.
Instead, they are calling for bars to be permitted to reopen for inside and outside service, employing the range of social distancing measures that operated last summer after Lockdown 1 (including screens between seats and on the serveries and customers' names being taken for tracing purposes).
IF Brigg pubs are permitted to reopen only for 'al fresco' customers over Easter at the beginning of April, licensees will have to decide whether it's worth it in terms of trade due to the restricted numbers who could be accommodated.
Our largest beer gardens are behind the Black Bull (with palm trees), Wetherspoon's White Horse (pictured above yesterday afternoon) and the Woolpack, though with varying degrees of shelter available.
The Dying Gladiator, the Yarborough Hunt and the Britannia have walled examples, helping to combat chilly winds that might well blow in April. The Lord Nelson's has buildings on three sides.
There are also beer gardens attached to our licensed clubs - Brigg Servicemen's and Brigg Town FC (The Hawthorns).
Occasionally we get sunny weather and temperatures in the 50F (10C) to 60F range in April, but this month always brings its fair share of showers. And the mercury can drop close to freezing 32F (0C) in the evening.
The White Hart, which has a sizeable beer garden overlooking the Old River Ancholme, and the Exchange, have not served customers since the emergency period was declared in March 2020.
The White Hart had already been shut for some months by then but it has recently changed ownership.