Fife pubs look ahead to reopening - but what changes will you see?

The sector was one of the first to be hit by the coronavirus, and fully expects to be at the end of the queue as restrictions are lifted.

It could face significant reductions in the number of people in any bar at any one time, and introduce a raft of social distancing measures which will have a direct impact on a night out with friends.

The aim is, of course, to ensure everyone stays safe, but it means massive challenges for landlords and staff.

An actual date to re-open its doors and serve its first drinks has yet to be confirmed - some are anticipating a return in August provided the current decline in virus cases continues.

While the bars sit empty - and in some cases boarded up for protection - work is going on behind the scenes to draw up a very different night out. The first inklings of a return for the trade came this week.

Betty Nicols, on Kirkcaldy High Street, is one of those looking ahead to what measures need to be put in place before reopening can be considered.

Owner John Wilson said the safety of staff and customers is the primary concern.

He said: “I’m anticipating we’ll get open in August sometime, only because it’s said that pubs will be opened in Phase Three, which is when the schools are going back on August 11.

“At the moment there hasn’t been any government guidance on safety but that’s likely to come when the opening times are confirmed.

“It’s obvious though that pubs are going to have to really focus on social distancing as a major risk assessment, and take the steps to ensure that everything is adhered to.

“We’ve been in and measured it all out with social distancing in mind, keeping the tables two metres apart and removing some of the chairs.

“Obviously our licenced capacity is well over 100, but it’s going to drop to a maximum of 46 when we reopen, so that’ll be a big challenge.

“It’s a dramatic drop and it’ll definitely make it difficult to make the business viable.”

Once in the pub, customers might see a few differences in procedure, with one door each for entry and exit.

John has also been investigating the use of an app for selection and payment.

“Staff will have to have PPE, and hands will have to be cleaned and sanitised.

“We’ll have a new operating procedure, looking at ShopAppy.

“It’s meant for shops, but I’ve spoken to the people behind it to see if it can help us.

“What we need is an app. When customers come in they’ll be directed to a table as there’ll be no sitting or standing at the bar.

“They’d then go onto the app to see all the food and drink that’s available so they can place their order online, which will go direct to a terminal behind the bar.

“There, someone will pour their drinks, and then a member of staff will table serve them, with payment going through the app so there’s no card or cash being handed over.

“ShopAppy have asked me to play about with it as they think the system might be able to handle it with maybe one or two wee tweaks, but it’s probably 90 per cent there.

“If a customer doesn’t have a phone then a member of staff would take the order and bring the card machine over. The machine would obviously be cleaned.

“Cash would be a last resort, but pretty much everyone has a phone or a debit card.

“The fewer interactions of less than two metres between staff and customer the better.”

John also said that advanced cleaning regimes would have to be put in place to ensure that all surfaces are sanitised.

However, another factor which may play a part is how much people will be able to socialise.

John added: “People go to the pub because they like social interaction - Betty Nicols is a socialising venue.”

“There’s going to be a lot of the customer interaction, which is our strength, which will be lost.”

JDWetherspoons – run by controversial Brexiteer, Tim Martin – published a detailed plan of action.

The chain owns the Robert Nairn in Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy, and the Golden Acorn in Glenrothes.

Both will have to operate in a very different way in order to comply with life after lockdown.

They will operate with a reduced food menu, and some indoor seating could be separated by perspex screens.

Customers will also be encouraged to sit in the beer gardens if they are available. They will also be asked to order drinks via the company’s app, and pay via contactless at the bar.

Staff will also be provided with gloves, masks and protective eyewear, but the company confirmed this week: “Employees can elect whether to wear them or not, subject to government guidelines.”

Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work.

This will include having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.

Also two full-time staff will be hired to clean surfaces and touch points, and ensure social distancing measures are adhered to by customers.

There will be around ten hand sanitiser stations, including one at the entrance, which customers will be asked to use on entry and throughout their time in the pub.

The Robert Nairn will have screens at the till point, and at seating areas where it is not possible to separate tables to meet social distancing regulations - and dedicated staff will monitor the pub at all times in order to maintain the two metre rule.

The pub also have to have separate entry and exit doors - it’s a requirement where possible - while these will be clearly marked by floor stickers and/or barriers.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.

Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass, and when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray.

Food will continue to be delivered, but there may be a slightly reduced menu.

Significantly, Wetherspoons says it has no plans to reduce its opening hours.

And all staff will receive a full briefing and training on the new operating arrangements before the doors open.

Michelle McCrabbe, manager at The Robert Nairn, said: “At present the government has not confirmed any reopening date for pubs.

“However, it is important that we are prepared for any announcement.

“We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans.”

She added: “The safety of staff and customers is paramount.”