Covid 'nightmare' continues for pubs in East Lothian

Michelle Foy, general manager of The Ship Inn in North Berwick, described the last couple of years as “a nightmare, an absolute nightmare”.

She told the Courier: “We have kept going with table service but we just took the screens down from the bar at the beginning of November.

“We were starting to be more like a pub again with people sitting at the bar.

“We are going back to square one.”

She also noted it would cost the business money to put the screens back in place, while they would need to look at staffing to cover table service.

Karen Fleming, from The Plough Tavern in Haddington, felt there needed to be greater guidance from governments.

The business, like many, has lost bookings as people opt to stay at home.

However, the current situation meant that staff, many with young families, could not be put on furlough.

She said: “I’m 62 and it has been the hardest time of my life. I don’t mind working hours and all that but this has been the hardest time I have ever worked. A lot of young blood out there are finding it hard; for me it has been really hard and it still is.”

James Hughes, from The Brig and Barrel in Belhaven, said the reintroduction of table service and one-metre distancing indoors would not have a major impact on the business as the measures had remained in place. But he stressed there needed to be greater communication with the industry, with many publicans facing sleepless nights.

He said: “What is frustrating, and I am sure most businesses are telling you the same, is it feels like we are about to go into a lockdown but we are going to get a very, very short notice on it, which is a nightmare for stock.”

Mr Hughes, who took the time to praise staff and customers for their continued support, highlighted how challenging the last two years had been.

He said: “It’s been like a rollercoaster without a seatbelt.

“We were only open 10 months after a major refurbishment when Covid hit.”