Edinburgh pubs reopening: Here's what to expect inside Capital bars post-lockdown

After months of lying empty, inside pubs across the Capital, lights will flicker on and layers of dust will be wiped away as they prepare to reopen.

With staff stepping foot inside these abandoned buildings for the first time in months, the Mary Celeste vibe is hard to miss.

The Edinburgh Evening News caught up with a manager of a city centre pub to find out what it would be like once it opened its doors to the public.

The Grosvenor on Shandwick place was, pre lockdown, a busy spot for thirsty workers, as anyone who has warily poked their head in the door on a Murrayfield home match day can attest, it is not a place of liberal personal space when busy.

Calvin McFarlane, General Manager of The Grosvenor said: “We are putting in a one-way system. People will come to the front door and leave through the patio doors.

“My big job is sorting the tables to make this work. Not all of them will be used of course, and the few tables out the front, they’ll be gone.”

Signs will be put on tables that are out of use saying ‘we are reserved for social distancing.’

Calvin is standing in front of towering, empty spirit shelves cleaning all the beer lines as he talks, preparing for his new stock being delivered.

“I’ve had to have the feather duster out for the shelves.” he grimaces.

The Scottish Government has released extensive guidelines for hospitality premises to follow.

Calvin explains: “People will get their temperature checked on their way in. They’ll give details for track and trace and then get taken to their table.

“We’ll be operating a reduced food menu and they will only be able to stay for an hour and a half.”

The staff will be kitted out with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and hand sanitiser spots are dotted all over the pub.

Chef’s in the kitchen will either work alone on shift, or work in separate parts of the kitchen, with the possibility of perspex being put up if required.

“We want people to be wearing masks when they come in, and only take them off when they get to the table.

“We’re only going to keep the easy access toilet open, so one toilet for everyone. We won’t be opening the main ones, as it means the staff have less to clean and it’s easier to make everything safe.

“Oh, and of course people are encouraged to pay by card. The staff will have gloves but also wee bottles of hand sanitiser should they need to handle cash.”

Edinburgh will be facing a festival free summer this year, with the hospitality industry taking an inevitable but substantial hit.

Calvin confirmed: “We’re not expecting to be too busy, I mean, who’s around? There’s no tourists. No one is in the offices.

“We’ll just have to see how it goes.”

The Grosvenor will be opening its doors on July 27 as part of their parent company’s phased approach to opening their businesses.

From Wednesday, July 15, Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industries can continue their reopening process.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be allowed to serve customers inside from this date, also, subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice.

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