Extra seating outside has helped pubs to reopen say real ale campaigners

That’s the view of the Campaign for Real Ale group, which has been monitoring the response of landlords since pubs and restaurants were allowed to serve customers outside from April 12.

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of CAMRA, said many pubs have adapted well by providing more outdoor seatings, marquees and parasols.

But he warned that there were ‘have and have nots’ and pubs without outdoor space are having to wait until May 17 to reopen when the Government is expected to allow pubs and restaurants to reopen again indoors.

Mr Richardson said: “The gods have been kind to pubs, after punishing them so badly since that black day in March last year when they were first forced to close by the pandemic.

“After the shock of early morning snowfall on re-opening day outdoors, Monday April 12, the sun has shone almost constantly with hardly a drop of rain and many pubs have been very busy.

"Many pubs prepared well. The marquees and large parasols have gone up, the mulch and artificial turf has been laid and the pot plants put in place, the patio heaters have roared into life (when needed), and the finishing touches have been made to all kinds of outside space. Local pubs have shown their determination to come back to life and responded very positively since outdoor trading resumed.”

Dave Richardson of Oxford CAMRA in a dining pod at The White Hart in Wytham

Mr Richardson said he had predicted that only half of pubs would reopen on April 12 but he has now revised his estimate.

He added: “I now think the total could be nearer two-thirds, with no fewer than 15 pubs open in Abingdon alone and only four remaining closed, these including Wetherspoon pub The Narrows.

“Whatever the figure, it’s significantly above the 40% that the British Beer and Pub Association predicted would re-open across the country.”

Mr Richardson said so may pubs across the county have reopened because they been flexible to adapt to the current restrictions.

He added: “A lot of our pubs have gardens or car parks that can be used.”

The city council has been pro-active, allowing pavement seating and closing some roads to traffic.

“George Street in Oxford will be closed again at some point, allowing more pubs to have outside space, but there are still a significant number of pubs in the city remaining closed until at least May 17 when indoor trading is due to resume,” Mr Richardson added.

He and fellow CAMRA members have been visiting pubs to see how they have adapted.

The Bear Inn has added tables outside and has seating for 95 people whereas space inside is much more limited.

The Plough in Cornmarket is also serving customers at outdoor tables.

Mr Richardson added: “Another pub I visited on reopening day, The Rose & Crown in North Oxford, has gained two outdoor tables for six following closure of North Parade Avenue to traffic, to add to its rear patio with retractable roof.

Tables outside The Star in Rectory Road Oxford Picture: CAMRA

“But let’s also remember the “have nots” – city pubs such as the Royal Blenheim, St Aldates Tavern, Castle Inn, Fir Tree and Half Moon which have no outdoor space and must wait at least until May 17 to reopen. Even then all pubs will face social distancing restrictions and reduced capacity for indoor trading, and can only hope that the longed-for end of all restrictions becomes a reality as planned on June 21.”

The White House in Abingdon Road, run by Tap Social, has now opened with a marquee over part of the former car park.

The White Hart in Wytham, a dining pub owned by Wadworth in a village just outside Oxford, has erected a plastic shelter high above table level and created individual dining pods, meaning a big increase in capacity when indoor service resumes. Mr Richardson added: “Some pubs which I never knew had gardens have really burst into life – the Star in Rectory Road, East Oxford for example, which must have outdoor space for around 100.”

He said some drinkers were still being put off by restrictions – table service only, the wearing of masks when not seated and mandatory NHS track and trace details requested for everyone in a group, as opposed to just one customer providing details.