Pubs and restaurants in Levenmouth and East Neuk prepare to re-open

That is the date food and drink fans across Fife have got marked on their calendars, following the announcement last week by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that pubs and restaurants would be given the green light to re-open.

But when the pub doors swing open and foodies are guided to their seats at their favourite restaurants, the scene will not be the one they have dreamed of for the last few months.

A range of safety guidelines are being introduced, and the two-metres social distancing rule might still be in place.

“It’s great to have a date to work towards,” said James Torrance, owner of Agenda and The Windsor in Leven, and the Sunbeam Inn in Kennoway. “But we haven’t been given any guidance regarding social distancing. We don’t know what the government is going to ask from us. We need that information sooner rather than later.”

James warned that, despite pubs having permission to re-open outdoor spaces, such as beer gardens, on July 6, his establishments will remain closed, due to the uncertainty of Scottish weather and the cost of getting the bar up and running again.

He also warned that some pubs might choose to remain closed because the social distancing rules will restrict the number of customers allowed to enter, and thus hit already-tight profit margins.

“The whole point is to get as many people through the door as possible, safely, and make a profit,” he said. “Now we’re going to have to send people away. I believe some will choose to stay shut until the restrictions are lifted, while some might re-open and then close again.”

Meanwhile, Alison and Hannah Mitchell, owners of the Dreel Tavern in Anstruther, hope to have the establishment re-opened around July 20. They say they have been provided with guidelines and are on course for implementing them.

“Obviously our main concern for reopening will be the health and safety of our staff and customers,” they said.

“However we are keen to again be part of a dynamic hospitality industry here in the East Neuk. During lockdown we have been working hard to upgrade our kitchen facilities to make them safer for our staff, but also to maintain and develop our products both food and drink. Considerable effort has also been focused to make our beer garden even more attractive.

“There will inevitably be many challenges to overcome with understandable restrictions in operation. Overall we are confident that the East Neuk will bounce back positively.”