Back to the pub after lockdown: What you can expect

Pubs play such an important part in my social life, I did not have to think twice about going back.
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With the easing of lockdown, people are understandably concerned about the ongoing dangers of the coronavirus but in West Sussex, the figures have been comparatively low and with the additional measures in place, I felt reasonably safe about trying it.

If nothing else, I think it is important to support the local businesses that are struggling and help them to stay open.

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It is tough for them. They have to protect their staff. They have to keep everything scrupulously clean. They have to find a way to record customers’ details and keep them for 21 days. They have to operate with a reduced number of customers. It is not easy.

A lovely pint of Langham Best in the patio garden at The Castle Alehouse in WorthingA lovely pint of Langham Best in the patio garden at The Castle Alehouse in Worthing
A lovely pint of Langham Best in the patio garden at The Castle Alehouse in Worthing

Different pubs have found different ways of doing things. Some of the smaller pubs are taking bookings in advance, others are operating on a first come, first served basis.

Some, like The Castle Ale House, in Newland Road, Worthing, and The George and Dragon, in High Street, Tarring, are asking for a name and phone number, written in a book at the door.

What makes me a bit uncomfortable about that is the lack of privacy. Your name and phone number are there for all to see.

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Others, like The Brooksteed, in South Farm Road, Worthing, are operating an online service, from the pub, and registration is part of the process. At least that way, your details are between you and the pub.

The Brooksteed manager John Azzopardi and owner Aaron Burns with staff, waiting to welcome customers back into the award-winning Worthing micropubThe Brooksteed manager John Azzopardi and owner Aaron Burns with staff, waiting to welcome customers back into the award-winning Worthing micropub
The Brooksteed manager John Azzopardi and owner Aaron Burns with staff, waiting to welcome customers back into the award-winning Worthing micropub

I visited The Castle on Sunday afternoon and we sat in the patio garden. We were greeted warmly at the door and asked to sign in, and while we jotted down our details, our first pint was being poured. All very simple, quick card payment and off we toddled to the sunshine.

There was a really friendly atmosphere and once you had your table, you were served by the staff, rather than going to the bar yourself. It was very effective, and it worked well.

Since March, I have been taking full advantage of the excellent delivery service at The Brooksteed, and it has been lovely to have cask ales to drink at home, but the truth is, all I could think about was the day I could go back inside and put one of their glasses to my lips.

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They left until after the weekend to begin taking in customers but come opening time on Tuesday, I was first at the door. Lunchtime pint, purely for research purposes, you understand.

Would it be much different, I wondered? It’s not the same - of course it’s not the same, but, really, it’s not far off.

I was worried it might be a bit clinical but actually the sanitiser at the door, and on each table, is just sensible.

This award-winning micropub is usually full of people chatting away but now, standing is not an option and drinkers are required to order from their table.

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It does seem strange not going up to the bar but the friendly staff are still there and owner Aaron Burns and manager John Azzopardi have set up an excellent online ordering system which includes everything, even the nuts.

You don’t need an app, it’s done via the website, and a QR code on the table gives fast access.

You are sitting only feet away from the staff, so you can hear your order arrive with a ping, then see them pour your pint before bringing it to your table.

At that point, at least, there is an opportunity for a chat. That is really the only thing that is missing, the banter. Yes, you can hear the happy sound of chatter but it is not so easy to join in.

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You go to the pub to socialise as well as to drink and the new system means you are really relying on people to walk past you and say something, as you are not allowed to circulate, like you would have before.

The main tables in The Brooksteed have plastic sheeting up to give you another barrier of protection, and that really is not as bad as it might sound. It’s more of a comfort than anything. And there is a more open section for larger groups at the back, plus the garden areas, too, so there is a bit of flexibility.

Next stop for me is The Fox and Finch, in Littlehampton Road. I am excited to see the team at the Arun and Adur CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2020 again and I am sure the experience will be just as sweet.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

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With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

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