Staff at The Rising Sun prepare to reopen on July 4

The staff at the Rising Sun in Sidmouth are busy preparing to reopen on Saturday, July 4.

The Rising Sun, on School Street, together with all the other local pubs, was closed on March 21 this year due to the coronavirus outbreak but despite the lock down behind closed doors quite a few changes have been made.

Landlord Andy Downham and his partner Nikki began to do some odd chores and repairs and very soon the paint brushes were out.

Andy explained: "There have been so many things to do, all those repairs and improvements for which I said if only I had the time and suddenly I had just that.

"Once we got the momentum going there has been no stopping us and as a result there is little of the pub that has not had a new lick of paint. It certainly has a nice fresh look about it."

The furloughed staff did not remain idle either and proudly boast new qualifications, each successfully passing online courses for Food Hygiene & Safety for Catering and Health & Safety in the Workplace.

Andy presented their certificates on Monday evening when they met to plan the reopening on Saturday.

Amy Squance was delighted, she said: "It was lovely to see my colleagues again and to receive my certificates of course. I can't wait to get back to work, it will be like starting a new job."

Her colleague Debbie Channing added: "We had a good meeting too, about reopening, it's not going to be the same just yet and we are determined to keep everybody safe as they enjoy coming in for a drink and a bite to eat."

The Government Guidelines state that pubs can only provide table service, so there will be no propping up the bar.

Social Distancing measures have been eased to one metre plus so pubs, along with cafes and restaurants reopening, can at least set out some tables for customers to enjoy some food and drink away from home.

Indoors groups of up to six are restricted to members of only two households. Customers seated outside can gather in groups six with members of any number of households.

"Customers can stand outside, but inside should be seated except for trips to the loo," said Andy.

"We will manage this as best we can and plan to meet each household on arrival to explain the restrictions.

"We will also ask each household to use the sanitisers provided and we need to record a name and phone number for NHS Track and Trace purposes.

"We are lucky to have a good sized beer garden which I expect will be busier than ever this year."

Andy hopes that the more people who know what to expect the easier it will be for the pub staff, at whichever pub they go to.

Andy added: "It is clear the Government want to allow people to get out more but not to socialise much just yet. It's a case of getting the economy moving and reducing the risk of a second spike as much as possible. We will do our bit."