Did I miss this? (Pubs)

[chestergirl39]

Heard on the radio earlier that in the places going into local lockdown, pubs are going to have to revert back to table service. I haven’t been out for a while, so had no idea that this had stopped? Presumed it was a one of the covid secure measures they had to put in place before being allowed to open, especially as customers don’t have to wear masks? Did I miss something? It would seem a sensible plan to carry on with this anyway to minimise spread and risk to staff and customers?

I think you may have misheard 'table service' for 'take away service'?

I don't think table service was mandated, it was just on the list of things that you could do to be more Covid secure. I can think of at least 2 local pubs in Greater Manchester that never did table service as they were beer only, and generally didn't have the staff to do it.

I must have been lucky with the places I went to! I loved table service as hate going to the bar, even pre covid!

I must have been lucky with the places I went to!

Out of all the pubs i've been in most have offered table service only. The ones that have been pay at the bar have been the larger chains where they have the screens behind the bar and have the app to allow you to order from your table anyway.

Most pubs are very compliant with the guidance.

No I was surprised at this too. The North East councils recommended reinstating table service only. It’s never stopped where I am. You are not allowed to attend the bar... let alone congregate there.

Based on what my parents have said about my home town in the NE, the only place doing table service/appy ordering is the Wetherspoons. And you can still go to the bar/pay cash at Spoons, it's just discouraged.

@BlackInk

I think you may have misheard 'table service' for 'take away service'?
Nope. It's table service.

@BlackInk

I think you may have misheard 'table service' for 'take away service'?

If so I misheard too. All over the BBC radio news earlier. They meant table service.

Ah, ok, I definitely heard someone on the news today saying that pubs, bars and restaurants in local lockdown areas are now only allowed to provide a takeaway service, so no eating/drinking in at all...

I’ve only had pre-booked table service too

No table and you can’t come in

Cafes, pubs and restaurants to be table service only with a curfew of 10 p.m. and no re-opening until 5 a.m. the next day. Tables for individual households only.

I definitely heard someone on the news today saying that pubs, bars and restaurants in local lockdown areas are now only allowed to provide a takeaway service, so no eating/drinking in at all...

I think that's currently Bolton only. They need to harmonize these local restrictions or people will just not have a clue.

“Cafes, pubs and restaurants to be table service only with a curfew of 10 p.m. and no re-opening until 5 a.m. the next day. Tables for individual households only.”

I know the curfew is a new thing, and you didn’t have to go with just individual families before, but when did table service stop? Have pubs slipped into old ways and is this one reason things have worsened? Obviously from an economy point of view they need to try and stay open, but as safely as possible.

Honestly some pubs never did table service, it wasn't mandatory, it was just advised. I think that is among the least of things in the list of stuff that could be causing an increase in cases.

I thought table service was the norm. In south west here where numbers are low, and I haven't been to one pub/cafe that isn't table service.

Table service in pubs? I've not noticed any of that where I am, you just go up to the bar to order as normal. What happens in places where there aren't enough tables? At my local there are about 4 tables and everyone just stands around inside and out, I can't imagine how they'd do it if they had to offer table service.

There’s a fair few tables at the one we go to. Spread out so more space than a restaurant.

But the waiters don’t take your order you use an app. Then they just bring it over to you.

Yes, OP is right, in the North-East, pubs and restaurants etc must revert to table service only. And I am also surprised that this was no longer the case anyway.
And Bolton was the only place I know of (in England) that has said takeaway service only.
Why can't they have just one form of local lockdown with the same rules? Even a sliding scale with levels would be clearer.

In London, it's a mix - some pubs are table service only, some you can order at the bar as usual (albeit with protective screens up)