Popular Sleaford pub’s reopening plans scuppered by a pothole! Here’s what happened...

Despite some town pubs opening from July 4, Ryan and Hollie Blankley had held off reopening the Watergate Yard, until they had all the Covid safety measures in place and were due to open their doors from today (Friday)

But on Tuesday evening Hollie released an update to say that afternoon she had slipped in a pot hole in the road outside her mum’s home in Sudbrook and broken a bone in her foot meaning she will be in a cast for a few weeks.

She said in her Facebook post: “ Massive appreciation to the staff at Grantham Hospital who cared for me so well and super speedily.

“Ryan and the team have been super busy refurbishing the pub. Every inch of wood has been varnished, every wall painted, and every surface scrubbed - the Yard has never looked better.”

But she added: “Ryan and I are totally committed to giving all of you a safe, secure and amazing time when you visit. Whilst we already strive to have the highest standards, this means thorough training for our team in the new processes we have established in this ‘new normal’. We feel it would be unfair to our team to ask them to reopen without me being there to lead and support them.

“So it’s with a heavy heart that we’ve decided to postpone our opening, while I get used to working with one useful leg and crutches!”

Hollie said they will take the extra time to ensure the team are on top form and even more ready for the return.

They will now open their gates at 11am, next Friday July 17.

Bookings can be made through their website.

The eventual opening will celebrate the second anniversary of the couple taking over and opening the pub, with social distancing measures in place.