PICTURES: Ross-shire residents toast indoor pints in pubs and restaurants as coronavirus restrictions ease; Ross businesses cautiously optimistic amid thanks for local support during tough times as safe Covid-19 bounce back targeted
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PUB and bar-restaurant owners in Ross-shire are eyeing the summer with cautious optimism after welcoming drinkers back indoors on Monday.
Easing Scottish Government restrictions from May 17 brought busier trade to some establishments this week.
Tempering enthusiasm among licensees slightly was the lurking threat of new, more infectious Covid-19 variants and the potential for a return to stricter measures.
With pints poured and alcohol glasses replenished inside licensed premises for the first time in 2021, indoor diners were again able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with their meal.
For three weeks since the end of closure on April 26, alcohol was served outdoors only, with an 8pm curfew imposed on indoor dining with soft drinks.
The new regulations allow for eating and drinking indoors and out until 10.30pm, with table service and for up to six people from three households.
Mhairi Mackenzie, bar manager at the private members’ Ross-shire Club, with a staff of five, said: “We were busier on Monday than we usually tend to be, even in normal times.
“I have to say, our members have been absolutely fantastic in supporting us since re-opening, even in less pleasant weather conditions.
“They’ve been coming along in good numbers on Fridays and Saturdays and we’re very thankful to them.
“I’m very positive looking forward. Now we do have that outdoor space it can only help as some people still feel more comfortable sitting outside.”
Jock Urquhart, who co-owns the Ceilidh Place licensed bar-restaurant, is back to working with 26 employees in hospitality, accommodation, a bookshop and art gallery.
He said: “Since Monday’s changes, I’d say trade has been much-improved.
“That’s as much to do with the extension of the indoor curfew than the fact we’re allowed indoor drinking.
“Our custom is predominantly food-led and it has been much more relaxed. Evenings had been a bit joyless for everyone concerned, crammed into a very busy hour or so, but people are enjoying themselves again!
“I can’t speak for everyone in the village, but anecdotally a lot of people in hospitality are more hopeful now, although there’s the looming spectre of a more transmissible virus and concerns over how that can be controlled.”
Sean Kennedy, licensee at The Mallard in Dingwall, which has 12 staff, said: “Business is showing a marked improvement on the first two or three weeks of re-opening.
“Customers seem a little bit happier now they can get inside. It’s a bit more like a real pub experience.
“Nothing can really make amends for what we’ve been through since last year, but this week we’re seeing a few more visitors.
“We’ve all just got to keep our fingers crossed that we don’t get caught up in new variants and renewed restrictions.”
Graham Rooney, chef and owner at Tain’s Platform 1864 with 28 staff, stressed: “It has actually been quite quiet on the drinks side, as a lot of local people prefer to come out during the weekend.
“There are no tourists or visitors from elsewhere in Scotland, really, but locals have supported us fantastically.
“Our investment in making the beer garden really nice has been very important and we could have done four or five hundred covers there at the weekend. We’re fully booked for this Saturday.
“A lot of people are still a bit wary of the indoors and prefer to be outside, so we’re probably still down 50 or 60 per cent compared to pre-lockdown.”
Mike Dwyer, owner of the Balintore Inn since 2015, said: “It is encouraging. We opened the beer garden on Saturday and Sunday and we were heaving.
“On Monday night, we were busy and had a good few diners as well.
“Like everyone in the trade, it has been a very tough period and we could do with sustained high revenue for a couple of years to make amends.”
