Cheers! Police praise drinkers’ good behaviour as ‘Super Saturday’ passes without incident around Sleaford’s bars

Sleaford area pub-goers have been praised for their safe and sensible approach to the first day of opening under the government’s latest relaxation of its Covid 19 lockdown.
The Grapes, Sleaford. EMN-200607-170938001The Grapes, Sleaford. EMN-200607-170938001
The Grapes, Sleaford. EMN-200607-170938001

Lincolnshire Police reported that ‘Super Saturday’ turned out to be a quieter than average weekend after all the warnings about people ‘overdoing it’.

Chief Superintendent Chris Davison, who had been overseeing patrols laid on across the county, thanked officers and support staff working over the weekend for their professionalism and dedication in what was the latest in a great line of challenges that they have faced over the last three months.

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He said: “As this was an evening with a unique set of circumstances, we don’t have a comparison we can draw statistically, but the number of incidents we were dealing with was broadly in line with what we deal with on a normal weekend night, if anything it was quieter than usual with less people out and not all venues open.

“Much planning and effort was put in by the venues to make sure that the safety measures were clear and that their customers followed them. The majority of people are able to go out, have a good time, and behave responsibly. To the minority that can’t, we will continue to deal robustly with anti-social and criminal behaviour.

“If you are planning to visit a pub over the coming weeks, make sure you book in advance, behave responsibly, follow the safety measures and plan a safe journey home.”

Not all pubs have opted to open yet, still making finishing touches to changes and refurbishments.

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Mick Wells, boss of the Barge and Bottle, said it had been a good first day: “The hardest thing has been keeping everyone distanced - it is a steep learning curve and a totally new way of working,” he said.

He admitted being apprehensive about the new systems in place, saying: “Table service requires about 25 per cent more staff, but we have got to get used to it. A lot of people are still very wary about coming out, but we have kept things at two metres distance to make people feel safer.”

Luckily the weather was fine and more people chose to sit outside.

Marcus Hrubesch, owner of the Solo Bar in the Market Place was happy with the steady trade he had seen after a busy breakfast service. He said: “The tables have been full outside, but we have measures in place - hand sanitisers and a one-way system.

“It has been brilliant being open again.”

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Customers Kevin and Lesley Barras said they were loving being back in the pub. Lesley said: “It has been nice seeing people we have not met for ages.”

Steve Shucksmith, who runs the Marquis of Granby in Northgate, said everyone had been respectful of staff and each other and most had observed social distancing.

“A few young ones have found it difficult,” he said, but everyone had filled in the track and trace forms and used hand sanitiser. “Compared to a normal Saturday we received about half the trade but we are hoping to build on that.

“We have invested well to increase the size of the beer garden and that is going to be our best asset for now.”

He said they had streamlined the products on sale for now.

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Customer Sarah Searles was pleased to be out but admitted to being quite nervous about being ‘covid-safe’ beforehand. Friend Conor Thompson agreed it had been hard to start socialising again but was relaxed about handing over his details at the bar as it was “for the right reason”.

Duty manager at The Packhorse Inn, Shane Walker, was pleased with the first day, saying: “We have not had any major issues and our procedures are working well. Other shops have had queueing systems in place for a while and that has helped.

“I think some people were scared off by reports in the press and stayed away. For those that came, we have explained our rules and the one way system. We have had a couple of people not obeying the rules but that is a normal night.”

He said capacity had been drastically reduced to just 94 customers, but he said visitors were enjoying the quieter, relaxed atmosphere, to chat without the rowdiness or battle to be served at the bar.

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“I think it has changed the face of pubs and it might be for the better,” he admitted. “It has been nice to have the time to engage with our customers.”

Customer Alan James said it had been brilliant: “I’m sick of drinking out of a can. It is the social side too.”

Lisa Cunago at the Carre Arms said she had planned to only have a low key first day, limiting the number of customers while staff learned the new system. Sticking to the two metre rule, she was proud of her expanded beer garden at the front and new, socially distanced lounge area in the converted function room.

She said the restaurants were fully booked on Sunday, adding: “I have been doing this for 35 years and it is completely different. I feel like I have opened a brand new business, but we are getting our regular faces back, which is lovely.”

See more photos from the day here:

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