The Barley Mow, Southsea, “thrilled” to get back to normal and see regulars once again
Boris Johnson’s ‘roadmap’ allowed beer gardens to reopen but many pubs were unable to do so.
The Barley Mow, Southsea, was among the other pubs unable to open as their gardens were too small, or people would not have been able to social distance.
Judith Burr, landlady of the Barley Mow, said: “We’ve had the government grants and I’ve had food on the table.
“I don’t want to be greedy, and we’ve survived.”
The British beer and Pub Association estimated that up to 87 million pints of beer could have been wasted since the Coronavirus pandemic started.
Pubs were only credited for full barrels of beer and so opened barrels were poured away and wasted.
The Barley Mow had to pour away “several barrels” of lager, but they have made ends meet in other ways.
Throughout the lockdown, the Southsea pub has been delivering ale to the local community.
“I was out on my bike delivering ale, eggs and chilli sauce to my customers,” Judith said, “we sell random, odd things to customers but it’s kept us busy.”
When asked about the struggle of emerging from lockdown, Judith said:
“As so few pubs have opened recently, customers are trying to cram in anywhere that they can.
“It would not have been fair on my staff.”
The next stage of Johnson’s lockdown will go ahead on the 17th May and the Barley Mow will be able to open its doors to customers.
Judith said she was “thrilled” to get back to normal and see her regulars once again.
The lockdown has given pubs an opportunity to refurbish the establishments.
Judith said that The Barley Mow has been painted, varnished and customers are welcome to come through the doors again on Monday 17th.
