Adnams beer fans will soon be able to get their hands on a freshly poured pint as the brewery looks to reopen four pubs on July 4.
The news comes as the government continues on its “road map” to lifting lockdown and has provisionally identified the first weekend of July as the start of the hospitality industry reopening.
Nick Attfield, director of properties at the brewery, which is tied to 44 pubs, inns and hotels in the region, said the four pubs are wholly-owned by the brewery – but will not confirm their locations until next week.
Mr Attfield said: “The approach we are taking for our managed properties is one based on science and safety.
“The four sites we are looking to open are spacious and have large outdoor spaces, which will match protocols and plans supported by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). I know these will be made safe and will ensure social distancing can be adhered to while making sure all facilities can be used appropriately.
“For our other tenanted properties, we are working closely with our tenants and continue to give them the same support we give to our own premises – we need their help just as much as they need ours and I am sure they will all make the right decisions.”
The pubs have been chosen to ensure the 2m social distancing guidelines can be adhered to, and will be regularly cleaned, while customers will be able to order food and drink via their smartphone.
Mr Attfield said the brewery has taken every consideration to allow customers to enjoy a trip to the pub while remaining as safe as possible.
He added: “It is a time for us to learn and adapt and I am sure we will learn a lot in the first few days and weeks and that we can ensure a smooth opening for our other sites. There are things we will have to relearn after staff were furloughed for so long and new things we will have to learn to adapt to the new world we live in.
“None of us want to go through the heart ache, worry and stresses again by not getting things right on reopening. “It is such a family environment when you work in pubs – we are so close to our teams and have a huge responsibility to look after them and our customers.”
The BBPA has raised concerns over the timescale of reopening and ensuring enough beer will be available, although Mr Attfield insisted the brewery is ready to trade – but stressed any changes to the timescale must be communicated “quickly and effectively”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here