Melton pubs and cafes need less social distancing to stay viable when they reopen

Nigel Keep outside his popular Melton cafe, 54A King Street, which has been closed since March because of coronavirus restrictions EMN-201006-122705001

Pubs and cafes across the borough are preparing to reopen from July 4 after being closed to drinkers and diners since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March.

Those with gardens and outdoor areas will be able to serve outside but the number of customers will be greatly reduced by the need to distance both outside and inside.

They feel a social distance requirement of one-metre would keep people safe and allow them to operate more profitably with more custom.

Landlady Louise James outside her Melton pub, the Genny B EMN-201006-120400001

The government said it is reviewing the distancing regulations ahead of the reopening of hospitality businesses but at the moment the two-metre ruling is retained.

Louise James, landlady at the Genny B told the Melton Times: “I don’t think it’s doable at two metres.

“Once we reopen I don’t think customers will stay that far apart and how do you police it?

“I have opened my garden up now so people can sit out there but it’s not viable at two metres.

“We won’t be allowed live music or DJs which brings people in.

“Our pool and darts teams probably won’t be able to play and they are our bread and butter customers during the week.”

Louise has received a £10,000 government grant but she is still paying furloughed staff and has taken a part-time job while the pub is closed.

“On a daily basis customers are messaging me saying they are missing coming to the pub which is quite upsetting - it makes you realise the key part we play in people’s lives.”

Nigel Keep plans to reopen his popular town centre cafe, 54A King Street, on July 4.

He has been able to decorate and install a new floor during lockdown but says the recent sunshine would have brought in a lot of business.

Nigel is also concerned about the need to keep his customers two metres apart.

He told the Melton Times: “I really hope they reduce the social distancing to one metre.

“Customers like to sit outside but it will reduce how many tables we can put out and we won’t have a lot of room inside either.

“We can do it at two metres but it won’t be great for business.

“It’s not just us, a lot of the pubs in the town will struggle if it’s kept at two metres.”