LOCAL pubs reopening for outside bookings after the latest lockdown are getting back to business with a boom.
The White Horse Country Park were fully booked for meals on Friday Saturday and Sunday; The Horse and Groom have been packed while The Rising Sun at North Bradley said the phones haven’t stopped ringing.
Teresa Mead who runs the The Venue at White Horse Country Park said, “It’s gone absolutely brilliantly since we could re-open to serve meals outside. We were fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; it’s been amazing really.
“It’s lovely to see people back; everyone is in a great mood and they are so pleased to be able to go out again.
“We’ve got covered areas, gazebos, heaters and blankets so even if the weather turns cold, we’re ready! And they are a hardy lot in Westbury; I can’t believe how many people are happy to sit outside even when it’s been cold!
“The golf course has been packed and the driving range which is open all day and night is really busy.
“We’re open seven days a week with food Wednesday (12-3), Thursday to Saturday (12-3 and 5-8.30); and Sunday (12-4) and we’re looking forward to 17th May when we should be able to open indoors – so watch this space for live music and other great events!”
Bob Musker, innkeeper at The Horse and Groom said things had been going well since the first day of reopening.
“We have a marquee and terrace undercover that holds 70 people. We’ve been taking bookings for those. People are just so pleased to be out! It’s great.”
The pub also has a potting shed area and fire pit.
“We’ve had a torrid year and we are grateful for everything at the moment. We’ve always served food so we already have that service expertise but I do feel sorry for establishments that haven’t done that up until now.
“It really is about the service and it’s trying to manage staffing levels and staff coming back as everyone’s been on furlough.
“We’ve got to hope that everyone in the cities behaves sensibly and then we can look forward to a good summer.”
The Rising Sun at North Bradley has had to adapt to outside service and has been very busy, Lynette Hobbs said.
“We’ve had to up staff numbers so we can cope with it. We’re trying to serve inside and then running about outside,” Lynne told White Horse News.
“This time we are busier than after the last lockdown – I think because it was winter and people couldn’t get out and see their friends, whereas the time before that it was spring and people were able to go out for walks.
“We weren’t prepared for how busy it has been – the phones haven’t stopped ringing and people were trying to book at short notice but because there’s not many pubs that are open we’ve been fully booked.”
Lynne added they had to order in emergency deliveries from their supplier to meet demand.
