Lancaster pubs and bars remind customers of new 'household only' rule when going out

From today, Wednesday October 14, people in the Lancaster district can only visit pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes alone or with members of their own household and support bubble, unless they sit outside.
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The Lancaster district, as well as the whole of Lancashire, has been placed into Tier 2 of the government's new coronavirus restriction hierarchy, meaning it is in a 'high alert' area.

Find out what you can and can't do HERE.Tim Tomlinson, chair of Lancaster Pubwatch, and landlord of The White Cross, Merchants, and Stonewell Tap pubs, said that a large proportion of people weren't aware that things had changed again.

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He said he had contacted customers who had booked in for a meal or a drink to remind them they could only attend with members of their own household, but many were not aware this was the case.

Tim Tomlinson, chair of Lancaster Pubwatch.Tim Tomlinson, chair of Lancaster Pubwatch.
Tim Tomlinson, chair of Lancaster Pubwatch.

The rule of six still applies however if people are sitting outside.

He said: "I think there are a lot of people who are going to be walking up to pubs on Friday and Saturday night with friends from other households thinking they'll be able to get in, but this is no longer the case."

The John O' Gaunt reiterated the new rules on their social media page, adding: "Now, more than ever your local pubs NEED YOU.

"If doors close, it could be forever.

From today, Wednesday October 14, people can only visit pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes alone or with members of their own household and support bubble, unless they sit outside.From today, Wednesday October 14, people can only visit pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes alone or with members of their own household and support bubble, unless they sit outside.
From today, Wednesday October 14, people can only visit pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes alone or with members of their own household and support bubble, unless they sit outside.
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"Also, please, PLEASE do not take out your frustrations over this on staff.

"We are just trying to get by. We miss 'normal' too!"

The Wobbly Cobbler, in Scotforth said: "Okay so as we have all now heard, yet again the rules have changed as we fall into tier 2 of these new rules all customers must be able to stand on their heads while reciting the national anthem backwards and provide 8 generations of ancestry....

"We joke of course because we must in such times, but the reality is that these latest rules only really change inside seating in which people must be part of the same household.

"To help with this we have now made our three heated outside tables bookable on our website where the 'rule of 6' still applies.

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"Our inside tables minimum booking has also been reduced so you can come along with yourself and any members of your own household."

A fundraising event which was due to be held at Kanteena in Lancaster this weekend has now been postponed.

The event, which aimed to raise funds for Lancaster and Morecambe's Melodrome mobile music stage, which has been forced to cancel scores of events this year, will now take place at a later date.

Organisers said: "Friends of the Melodrome, it is with great regret that we must postpone our event, given the current guidance, the event we had planned to deliver is just not going to be possible .

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"We hope you understand our reasons for this, Kanteena is a safe and great venue but we have an audience travelling from all corners of the country.

"To say we are devastated is an understatement, BUT…we WILL do this when it is safer and more practicable.

"To all of you who have bought tickets we can offer you a full refund straight away, or you can keep your tickets for the rescheduled event, which we really hope will be before Christmas.

Please believe us when we say that this decision has not been arrived at easily, we have agonised over it for weeks and more especially the past 36 hours, we are really very sorry to let you all down but sometimes life and circumstances take priority.

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"But we will dance again soon, we will sing again soon and in the meantime lets love each other and keep each other safe.

"We also would like to say a massive thank you to the many artists and friends who have offered to fund raise for us and whilst we are waiting to put the live event on we hope to work with them to bring you something a little bit different….keep your eyes peeled for further announcement."