Blue Bell community hub looks forward to reopening after lockdown

Like all pubs, the venue was forced to close its doors in March.

It came just a few months after the building, which was purchased by members of the community after a long campaign, opened as a community pub in December.

During its enforced closure, the team has busy carrying out an external refurbishment of the building – which now has a new paved outside area and a garden revamp.

Outside tables and parasols will be in place to increase outside seating capacity for the summer.

A new and experienced pub manager, Steve Hodges, has been recruited to take charge of the business.

Gill Craig, a member of the management committee, said a lot of people had been eagerly awaiting the reopening.

“People keep saying, when’s our pub coming back?” she said. “Hopefully we will get good support from the locals.”

The in-house team have been putting all the required COVID measures in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

There will be one way traffic, designated areas for outside drinks and bookable tables inside and out for both eating or seated drinking.

Extensive signage and strict cleaning protocols are in place.

Just before opening day, the entire premises will be treated with a certified anti-viral misting process.

From August 1, the brand new BnB rooms will be welcoming overnight guests for the first time.

Gill said bookings were already being snapped up by a steady stream of walkers of the South Downs way, cyclists and other ‘staycation’ visitors.

“It’s all systems go,” she said. “It’s very exciting.”