'I had to pour 1,500 pints down the drain': Chesterfield pubs react to 'concerning' possible closure plans

Landlord Adrian Matthews who runs The Barley Mow on Saltergate in the town centre said it would be ‘devastating’ if the premises were ordered to shut as part of a northern lockdown, after he was forced to pour 1,500 pints of beer down the drain when the national shutdown was enforced back in March.

Manager of the Tramway Tavern, on Chatsworth Road, Tim Dann echoed worries that another forced closure would have a ‘bad’ effect on pubs which have only just got back on their feet.

Stricter measures are set to be put in place on Monday to stop the spread of coronavirus, which could include pubs and bars shutting for good in places with a rising number of cases.

A three tier system for local lockdowns is also likely to be introduced by the Prime Minister, which would see different parts of the country placed in different categories of restriction.

Adrian, who has run The Barley Mow for the last 28 years, said it would be difficult for the hospitality industry to deal with another lockdown.

"It would be devastating, we were just starting to get back on our feet with Eat Out To Help Out, the rule of six and people having to wear face masks.

"It is not a huge pub but we've got a lot of standing room so once everybody has to sit down it's a bit of a nightmare really.

"We were just getting into a flow of the new normal is but if we can only allow customers in from the same households on then I wouldn't see the point in being open anymore.”

The landlord who employs six staff has already said goodbye to any plans for Halloween, which used to be one of his busiest nights of the year.

"The thought of closing again is disheartening because it was awful back in March, they just don't give you any warning”, Adrian added.

"I had to throw 1,500 pints down the drain, they should have given us a little bit of warning because it put us all into a panic.”

Pub manager, Tim Dann said forcing Derbyshire pubs and restaurants to close would be ‘very hurtful’, particularly after the 10pm curfew was enforced over three weeks ago.

He added: "It would have a bad effect on us because we are a smaller pub and we rely on being open to carry on trading.

"We re-opened on the first day we could after lockdown and we have been quite busy but even just taking that hour off and only being open till 10 o clock has had an effect.

"To lockdown again would be very hurtful for us.”

The manager has called for councils to have the power to enforce pub closures in towns worst hit by Covid-19, rather than locking down the entire north of England.

Tim continued: "If things did start to spike again they could come round and say 'we need to close you down for a week' and that would seem to me to a more sensible solution rather than putting everyone in the same pot as places such as Liverpool and Birmingham.”

Tighter restrictions are expected for parts of England next week - the plans explained

Chesterfield Covid-19 testing centre which left dozens unable to book a test now "back on track"

Nearly 20 new Covid-19 cases in Chesterfield neighbourhoods last week

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.