Pubs and restaurants across the Stewartry are gearing up to serve their first drinks of the year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed plans to press ahead with the next stage of the Scottish Government’s timetable out of lockdown, meaning hospitality businesses can reopen with restrictions from Monday.
And Andy Kelly, who runs The Garret in Kirkcudbright with wife Audrey, is getting ready to do just that.
He said: “We are looking forward to opening and to seeing everyone again.
“We have new staff and a new cook and I was speaking to the suppliers on Monday morning making sure everything was ready so it is all coming together.
“We are expecting a lot of people and we are making sure we comply with all the rules in terms of asking for people’s details, making sure face masks are being worn and making sure social distancing is being followed when people go up to the toilet.
“There is an app we used before and we’re going to be pushing that even more as it means people aren’t going to be up and down as much.
“We also have track and trace and big signs up to reinforce the message.”
From Monday, non-essential shops can reopen along with gyms, hotels and tourist attractions.
Up to 50 people can attend a wedding reception and alcohol is allowed to be served, while the ban on travel to and from other parts of the UK is being lifted.
Pubs and restaurants can serve up to six people from six different households outdoors – with alcohol – until 10pm.
Six people from two different households can be served indoors until 8pm, with no alcohol allowed.
Contact details for every person, rather than one member of the group, must be taken.
And if two households sit together at a table, they must be one metre apart – something Ms Sturgeon insisted was in the guidance last year.
Mrs Kelly said that might be “tricky” for both the business and customers, but said they would try to make it work.
Chris Walker from The Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright – which will reopen on April 30 – did not seem overly concerned.
He said: “If she says there is no change then we will continue operating as we did last year.
“I have looked at the strategic framework and there is nothing jumping out at me about one metre. I have measured our tables and they are one metre across anyway.
“ We will be operating under the same procedures as we did last year. At the end of the day it is the customer’s choice whether they feel safe or not.
“I think to start with you will see single families and couples coming out.
“We also have our beer garden, which we’ve made bigger than last year, and it is a bit freer in terms of social distancing so you might see two families there, especially if the sun is out.”
