PUB landlords in Wellington have been preparing for the ‘new normal’ – and lots of thirsty customers – this week as they get ready to re-open tomorrow (Saturday).

Dave and Angela Lock, who have been at The Vintage in Fore Street for 20 years, have implemented big changes to comply with coronavirus rules.

They have spent hundreds of pounds on a perspex screen to go around the bar, removed furniture and the pool table, and purchased furniture for the pub’s large garden. Drinkers will not be allowed to stand, a one-way system and social distancing will be in place, and hand sanitiser will be widely available.

Despite the changes Dave expects the pub to be busy: “I can see it being a bit mad on Saturday and Sunday, and after that it will settle down to a reasonable level,” he said.

The pub is also opening with reduced hours from 11am-11pm through the week and 11am-midnight on Friday and Saturday. Music nights have been scrapped and the normal menu is being simplified to basket meals.

He felt The Vintage’s garden could be a lifeline: “I don’t think it would be worth opening if it was just the pub – we need a certain amount of people to make a profit,” he added.

Dave said bookings for the pub’s rooms for the high summer months had accelerated in the last few days.

Beccy and Jamie Holmes, site operators at The Green Dragon in South Street, are welcoming back all their furloughed staff for a training day today (Friday) before re-opening tomorrow.

Staff will be learning about procedures to keep themselves and customers safe. The venue and its toilets will have a one-way in, one-way out system, service will be table only, sanitising stations and signage will be in place, and diners will need to book.

The Green Dragon has 13 rooms and Beccy said they were not full yet but were heading that way for July, August and September.

The pub has been busy in recent weeks providing a takeaway and delivery service, often to older people, sometimes cooking up 80-90 Sunday lunches.

“We are expecting a lot of regular day-time people to come in to be part of the community again – I think they’re looking forward to returning and being sociable – even if it’s socially distant.”

Beccy joked: “Me and Jamie have got used to having evenings off! It’ll be hard to get back into it but we will.”

The Wetherspoon’s pub, The Iron Duke in Wellington, will be open at 8am tomorrow (Saturday).