Northumberland pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions look forward to indoor reopening

The long wait is nearly over for the Northumberland hospitality industry as it gears up for indoor reopening.
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Pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions can welcome customers inside from Monday, May 17 while hotels and B&Bs can also reopen in the latest phase of Covid lockdown easing.

It may also come as a relief to those venues which have been able to open outdoors since April 12 given the mixed weather over recent weeks.

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Johny Johnson, manager of The Apple Inn at Lucker, said: “We’ve benefited from having outdoor space. We had a really busy bank holiday but it’s been a bit up and down since then. Fortunately we have shelter from the rain given how it’s been over the past few days.

The Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses, part of the Inn Collection Group.The Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses, part of the Inn Collection Group.
The Bamburgh Castle Inn at Seahouses, part of the Inn Collection Group.

"Indoor reopening makes the business much more secure. We have three times as many covers indoors and you can plan ahead better with staffing.”

Paul Brown, operations manager for The Inn Collection Group’s Northumberland venues, said: “After such an incomprehensibly long period of closure following lockdowns and tier closures, we just can’t wait to open our doors again on Monday - from the comments and correspondence from our customers they are feeling exactly the same! There’s a real buzz as our teams are making the final preparations.

“The last year has been devastating for the sector and we’re looking forward to putting that behind us and starting a new chapter and doing what we do best.”

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Bamburgh Castle is among the attractions looking forward to welcoming vistors back to its staterooms, museum and refurbished Clock Tower Tearoom.

The Apple Inn at Lucker.The Apple Inn at Lucker.
The Apple Inn at Lucker.

Will Douglas, visitor services manager, said: “We cannot wait. The castle really does come alive with visitors passing through its rooms. We're looking forward to our incredible rooms and their treasures being enjoyed by visitors once more and seeing the castle live and breathe again.

“It’s been a difficult few months for everyone, but the incredible support and encouragement we have had from people the world over has been phenomenal and the whole team has been excited to return.”

The new rules allow six people or two households to mix indoors, with table service only in pubs and restaurants.

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