Hospitality venues in the Haverhill are delighted to be open again - here's what some of those involved had to say
Pubs and restaurants in the Haverhill area threw open their doors on Monday and welcomed in customers with the return to indoor service.
The latest stage of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown meant pubs, restaurants, cinemas and many other sectors were able to allow customers inside their premises again this week for the first time since December.
Outdoor drinking and dining has been possible since April 12.
For Baltic Amber Restaurant and Bar, next to The Travelodge hotel in Phoenix Road, the chance to welcome patrons into the building was even more special, as it has not been open at all in 2021.
The business only opened in early March 2020 and has had to endure three lockdown closures and three subsequent reopenings in the 14 months since.
Klaudija Mazelyte, who works at Baltic Amber and whose parents Viktorija Voisiat and Tomas Mazelis are its owners, said: “We are so glad to be back.
“We’ve actually had a lot of people say they have been bored at home and all they wanted to do was get back to work.
“It’s just nice to have everyone back. We are like a little family now and I think all of us missed each other a little bit.”
Reservations were now starting to come in, said Klaudija, and the restaurant was ‘getting busy’ for the coming two weekends.
Like many pubs, The Royal Exchange, in High Street, has been able to offer outdoor service since April 12, helped by the removal of some decking that created a lot more table space.
However, licensees Brian and Dionne Walford, were delighted to be able to welcome regulars and non-regulars back indoors from Monday.
They also have a full complement of staff after some who were on part-furlough returned this week.
Speaking on Tuesday, Brian said: “With the social distancing inside we can get 62 people in and then of course we’ve got the outside, which is another 16 to 20, so we are right up to about half the capacity of what we are (normally) allowed.
“We had a hell of a day yesterday, a terrific day.
“It was very well supported; a lot more bodies than what there would normally be on a Monday.”
Sam Clark, owner of Route 66 American diner in High Street, reopened to indoor service on Tuesday, although he has been offering deliveries all the way through the lockdowns.
He said: “I’ve changed the furniture from what we had before because we were all boothed seating, which wasn’t so good for social distancing.
“It’s about half to two thirds normal capacity now. People are really happy that we are opening.”
David Rowlinson, owner of The Hundon Plough, has been able to offer outdoor service from April 12 but before that had been completely closed since Christmas.
With indoor service and the accommodation now both open again, and all staff back off furlough, he said. “We’ve had a lot of bookings, both accommodation wise and restaurant wise, for anything up to two months ahead.
“Hopefully, as far as our reputation and trade is concerned it will get back to something like it was, which would be nice.”
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