Fancy a pint? This is how pub landlords in Harrogate are preparing to reopen

Our beloved pubs and bars have had it hard during the pandemic which first forced them to shut shop back in March.

That is ten long weeks since landlords last pulled a proper pint for their customers - and the government's reopening plan still up in the air.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson says pubs and bars could reopen earlier than planned.

But this will only happen if the scientific advice says it is safe - and social distancing rules will still apply.

It means pub and bar bosses are facing a difficult time, with growing financial pressures and the tricky task of drawing up plans on how they will be able to reopen safely.

Marik Scatchard is the owner of Christies Bar in Harrogate town centre.

He has been left totting up deferred rent bills of almost £1,200 a week and is now hoping to welcome his customers back as soon as it is safe.

"We are looking forward to reopening, but having these costs hanging over our heads has put a big damper on things," said Mr Scatchard

"It has caused a lot of stress and the smaller pubs will be the ones who struggle the most when it comes to social distancing."

Mr Scatchard has pledged his support to campaign group No Pub No Rent which is calling for all rents owed during the lockdown to be completely written off.

Like thousands of landlords across the nation, Mr Scatchard is eagerly awaiting for government advice as to when - and how - he will be able to open his doors again.

He said: "We really could with knowing what is needed because it will take some time to plan. Until then, we will just have to sit and wait."

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Elsewhere, pub giant JD Wetherspoons has drawn up plans to ensure that its staff and customers are safe before its pubs reopen - including in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

New safety measures will result in the employment of two full time staff per pub, slightly more for bigger pubs, who will regularly clean surfaces and touch points throughout the pubs.

Drinkers will be encouraged to use many of the chain's large gardens and inside tables will be surrounded by screens to ensure social distancing.

But independent pub owners have warned it will be much harder for them to meet government guidelines.

Richard Park, owner of The Little Ale House in Harrogate, said small pubs will not be back to business as usual for a long time.

"Reopening is a really hard thing to plan for with the circumstances changing all the time," Mr Park said.

"Bigger pubs like Wetherspoons are able to make firmer plans because they have a big, national presence.

"For us smaller indies, I am not really sure what will happen. We will of course have to live by the rules, which could mean we open our doors with just one member of staff behind the bar.

"But we are far more nimble compared to other chains and big pubs.

"We can quickly make reopening plans. But my overall concern is how viable social distancing will be and what it will mean for business."

Until the government sets out official guidance on pubs reopening, landlords will continue to look around the world for clues as to what a socially distant drinking culture may look like.

Measures already introduced abroad include a limit to three pints per customer, tables restricted to household members, plastic cups only, toilets cleaned after each use, ordering by app, and more.

The first few days after opening - especially if the sun shines - could poise problems for social distancing and mean some people are turned away.

It also remains to be seen whether, once the first few pints have gone down, pub-goers will enjoy the sterile atmosphere of a socially distant boozer.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter