Pubs reopened their doors without restrictions on Monday and publicans were thankful of a return to normal.
The Mariners’ Inn landlord Harry Le Poidevin said Monday had been the first day back for them completely and had been especially busy. ‘Lots of people took Tuesday off work to be able to come out and celebrate entering stage three properly,’ he said.
‘It’s been great, a real jovial atmosphere and very good crowd that are just really pleased to be able to stand at the bar like they usually would and have free rein without any restrictions.’
The pub does not serve food so was unable to open in earlier phases of the exit from lockdown. It meant Mr Le Poidevin could not wait to reopen this week.
‘I only took over in December 2019 and, out of the 14 months since, I’ve been closed for seven of them,’ he said.
‘It has been tough and though in the first lockdown I wasn’t in a position to make use of that time the way I wanted, this second lockdown I spent refreshing the place with paint and varnish in hand and giving it a good clean.
‘At 10 to 10 on Monday morning I was basically like a kid at Christmas, keys in hand, clock watching, to see people face-to-face and see them happy to be around others is great.’
Regulars of the Plough Inn, known as a real community pub and hub, were also happy to be able to meet up with their friends and fellow pub-goers this week for a drink and a catch-up.
Its landlord, Richard Skipper, said it was great to see everyone back.
‘The first day back was a terrific day, as this week will be,’ he said.
‘Folk were really delighted to see their friends again.’
One of the Cornerstone’s owners, Marvin Odillard, said it had been great to return in stage two of the island’s exit from lockdown, serving food alongside drinks, and was even happier to see relative normality resume in stage three.
‘Initially it’s been quiet, but it is just the beginning of the week and people are working,’ he said.
‘We’re only small, though, so we could generally look busy with the restrictions that were in place before. Now that we can have more people in, though, it will be so much better. By the weekend I expect it to get busier and even more so when it gets to bank holiday Easter.’
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