Hospitality businesses Crown Hotel, The Black Bull and Amici Restaurant in South Holland are looking forward to the July 19 freedom date
South Holland’s hospitality industry is raring to go as the July 19 ‘freedom day’ approaches.
Pubs, restaurants and cafés will no longer have to abide by social distancing and track-and-trace rules from next Monday - unless they want to.
John Budworth (34), of the Crown Hotel in Holbeach, says the changes will have a big impact on his business.
“It’ll be a lot less stressful, that’s for sure,” he said.
“Obviously when people are left to their own devices and can come and go without booking or filling in track and trace forms, it’s easier for the hospitality industry.
“Getting back to normal is something a lot of people are desperate for.
“We don’t want to go backwards. We don’t want to tell people at the weekend that we’re full or that we don’t have tables when, normally, we would be fine.
“People just stop coming if they can’t get in because of social distancing and things like that. We’ll be glad to take that out of the equation.”
Kaesiah Hayes (32), general manager of The Black Bull in Donington, says staff are looking forward to a bit of normality.
She said: “I think a lot of our regulars are looking forward to coming up to the bar and ordering drinks themselves, rather than waiting for us coming back and forth to their tables. Our staff are excited for that little bit of normality.
“We’ll just have to deal with the fact that Covid is going to be around. Nearly all of our staff are double-jabbed now so we’re keeping ourselves as safe as we can.”
Ivan Pastore (45), who is head chef and owner of Amici Restaurant in Spalding, said: “It looks like we’re moving in the right direction, and it couldn’t come soon enough.
“I’m glad to be back doing what we love doing, which is providing Spalding with a little taste of Italian food. We’re excited, and we’re looking forward to getting customers back in the restaurant.”