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Dartford pubs set to reopen as Boris Johnson announces new lockdown and social distancing measures

Pub owners across Dartford are set to welcome back customers with open arms following news enforced closure from coronavirus is set to end.

They won't be hugging them of course though. Strict social distancing and hygiene regulations remain in place but as Boris Johnson set out plans this afternoon to reopen the pubs on July 4, the mood at the Wig and Gown in Dartford reflected widespread optimism among pub owners.

Pub goers are preparing once again for this welcome sight. Stock image.
Pub goers are preparing once again for this welcome sight. Stock image.

Yvonne Rickards, who runs the pub in Spital Street with her sons Alan and Henry, said they had arranged new pub rules in the event of lockdown being eased, so complying with the updated regulations would not be difficult.

"We had already decided that we were going to implement a lot of measures anyway," said Yvonne. "We were going to do a click and collect at the bar where you order at one end, go to the till and pick up the beers at the other end. If it's table service we won't do that but we could bring it in later.

"We've got an in door and an out door, and the toilet is upstairs so it's one up and one down, which might be a bit difficult.

"People will have to hand-sanitise before they come in and then before they go to the toilet. We've got hand sanitiser at the bottom of the stairs.

"We were always washing our hands anyway - I cook and do the beer and do the cleaning so I'm constantly washing my hands; so are our staff."

The Wig and Gown in Dartford
The Wig and Gown in Dartford

Under the new rules social distancing has been reduced to one metre, and pubs and restaurants will be limited to providing table service, while customers may have to sign in, so they can be traced if they come into contact with someone who is infected.

Pubs will also need to be regularly cleaned, staff working hours will likely be staggered, and hand washing kits will be added at exits and entrances.

An update from the Malt Shovel. on Darenth Road, said it too was closely following the announcement from the government.

"Our re-opening date is currently looking like Saturday July 4," said the update posted today.

"Things are likely to be a bit unusual to start with: there will very likely be space restrictions in order to maintain social distancing, and we may need, for example, table allocation on arrival, ordering via phone apps, and table service.

"It may also be necessary to provide your contact details in order to help identify future spikes. Once we have had a chance to look at the exact details, we will interpret them as best we can and let you know."

Stock image
Stock image

Despite the optimism, pubs across the country have been hit hard by lockdown - and owners will be hoping to avoid too many hiccups and stumbles on the road back to Friday nights of yesteryear.

Back at the Wig and Gown, owner Yvonne said they were preparing to bounce back.

"We've only been here two years so it's been a kick in the teeth," she said. "It's been horrendous but we're lucky because we're not run by a brewery. The three men that own the building have been extremely good landlords - as soon as it happened they said don't worry about it, well catch up later.

"I'm really excited about reopening. The first month we closed we didn't know what we were going to do. We haven't got much savings, then the boiler went down, then the cellar went down. That's now being fixed.

"We've spent the last two months revamping and repainting - it's just a bit of paint and manual labour, but we have put the time to some good use. We've unblocked a window that was blocked up, and the garden's full of flowers.

"People have been saying they can't wait to come in."

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