How was the "new normal" pub/cafe experience for you?

[Howardh]

Excellent experience at Wigan Central. Greeted on arrival. Everything explained. Very civilised. Continental feel with the table service. "Rules" are railway themed. Have a semaphore signal to indicate you want to order!

I like that!! Perhaps the pub can be divided up into first and second class - or perhaps not! But now is the time for a diy enthusiast who runs a pub to have a minature railway bringing your drinks to the table. The 2117 Transpub Express...calling at table 3 2117.2; table 5 2117.5, table 8 2118.2* (request stop) and terminating at table 12 2119.

 

[RailAleFan]

I like that!! Perhaps the pub can be divided up into first and second class - or perhaps not! But now is the time for a diy enthusiast who runs a pub to have a minature railway bringing your drinks to the table. The 2117 Transpub Express...calling at table 3 2117.2; table 5 2117.5, table 8 2118.2* (request stop) and terminating at table 12 2119.

Pub Uses A Model Train to Serve Beer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dfCdN4Q2zo

i.imgur.com

 

[theblackwatch]

I decided to avoid pubs over this weekend as I expected it to be manic, but it didn't quite work out and myself and three friends ended up popping out to a pub away from the town centre for a couple of hours yesterday. A table was booked for the 4 of us a couple of hours beforehand (using Facebook Messenger) and it was a table service, payment by card only. They gave us a beer list 'although not all are on at the moment', so it was good to have a second choice. There was a one-way system in place to the gents, although I did spot one chap going the wrong direction - I'm sure out of habit more than malice! All in all, a pleasant and almost continental experience.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Pub Uses A Model Train to Serve Beer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dfCdN4Q2zo

i.imgur.com

The head on that pint is a bloody disgrace!

Both pubs with registration state they keep details for 21 days.

Do the pubs take any sort of ID? If not, any sort of registration is a bit pointless, really. I wonder how many Adolf Hitlers and Jimmy Saviles there were out at the weekend.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Imagine they had been to say 6 busy pubs in the last week? You'd have to tell potentially thousands of people to quarantine as a result. The system isn't going to work if people are being continually contacted and told to isolate, as they quickly won't take it seriously, or just won't be able to do it because they need to go to work and earn money. It's far better being restricted to people that have spent a substantial amount of time at close quarters. Sure, you might miss someone that way, but it seems you're likely to miss someone under pretty much *any* system anyway.

You wouldn't just know if they were there. You'd ring them and ask when they were there (i.e. what time) and where they were sitting.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The head on that pint is a bloody disgrace!

Is it in Nottinghamshire (specifically Mansfield)? I asked for a top-up there once and did not get a polite response - the norm is lined glasses and a head round those parts.

 

[45107]

Do the pubs take any sort of ID? If not, any sort of registration is a bit pointless, really. I wonder how many Adolf Hitlers and Jimmy Saviles there were out at the weekend.

Neither asked for ID although one of them would be classed as my local.
Just visited another ‘local’ where registration is requested but have not observed people being asked for ID.

Those who wish to support the general ‘track n trace’ system I would assume will provide correct details. Those who take a differing view will provide incorrect details and could potentially put people at risk.

As there is no requirement for ID in the UK and it is only a guideline for pubs I doubt very much it can be enforced legally, although pubs can if they wish use it as a requirement for entry.

 

[High Dyke]

I enjoyed the walk down to the Club last night. We re-opened Grantham Railway Club on Saturday evening. The policy we've adopted, for the time being, is Strictly Members Only. Card carrying CAMRA members are still entitled to visit though. There were about 30 people in the venue on Saturday night, and about a dozen of us last night.

Like many people I was a bit hesitant to see how things went. However, I looked forward to a decent pint of locally brewed ale, and I wasn't disappointed. A lot of effort has been made to re-open as safely as possible. Those that visited were pretty compliant, well they had to be when one of the staff stood there barking regulations like a Regimental Sergeant Major. . I do need to discuss customer service with a couple of staff. The important factor, aside from the wellbeing of the staff and customers, is that we needed to re-open for business sooner rather than later - otherwise I doubt the club would have started trading again.

 

[philosopher]

You wouldn't just know if they were there. You'd ring them and ask when they were there (i.e. what time) and where they were sitting.

I read the guidance for pubs on the gov.uk website and it says the contact tracing is to control local outbreaks. The impression I got from the website is that if one person in the pub tested positive on one particular evening, no one apart from those sitting with that individual would be contacted.

However if 10 people who where in the pub one evening tested positive, then everyone who went to the pub that evening could be contacted and told to isolate. I imagine the pub would also be forced to close for a deep clean.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Do the pubs take any sort of ID? If not, any sort of registration is a bit pointless, really. I wonder how many Adolf Hitlers and Jimmy Saviles there were out at the weekend.

I've not seen any taking ID. You'd be surprised how many people live at 10 Downing Street that are going to pubs all over the country... and not just in Barnard Castle

 

[mmh]

Meanwhile in three months there's still not been a single news story about an infected supermarket worker.

I'm in two minds if I would give my contact details in a pub (other than where I'm known, but even then perhaps I would become Neil Ferguson.) Possibly a moot question as the Welsh Labour Party seem determined my locals will go out of business before they allow them to reopen.

 

[Richard Scott]

Meanwhile in three months there's still not been a single news story about an infected supermarket worker.

I'm in two minds if I would give my contact details in a pub (other than where I'm known, but even then perhaps I would become Neil Ferguson.) Possibly a moot question as the Welsh Labour Party seem determined my locals will go out of business before they allow them to reopen.

Then they will blame Westminster for unemployment in Wales.

 

[trebor79]

Disappointing to hear on here of two places that aren't taking customer details. Above cleanliness, this is probably the most important thing they can do as it means if there is an outbreak people can be contacted swiftly.

No it won't. Only a centrally run electronic system would do that.
What you have is individual premises implementing their own method. Some it's individual paper forms. Some it's a paper register. Some it's an app. Some it's an electronic device belonging to the premises.
Even if everyone complied and out their real details,and even if all the paper records were legible and none got lost, it would be a mammoth task to assimilate all of that data an make it useable.
It's a nonsense measure that will do nothing for public health.
If there's an outbreak, they'll just do a Leicester.

Taking customer details is just lipservice to those who think there's any point to it. Like any other list taken in a pub, it'll be mostly unusable nonsense.

Is the right answer.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Is it in Nottinghamshire (specifically Mansfield)? I asked for a top-up there once and did not get a polite response - the norm is lined glasses and a head round those parts.

A Siemens Taurus delivering pints? Or half-litres? Isn't that the famous bar in Prague? Featured on one of Paul Lucas' trip reports on YouTube I believe.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I hope it's got a music licence for that Taurus

 

[geoffk]

I like that!! Perhaps the pub can be divided up into first and second class - or perhaps not! But now is the time for a diy enthusiast who runs a pub to have a minature railway bringing your drinks to the table. The 2117 Transpub Express...calling at table 3 2117.2; table 5 2117.5, table 8 2118.2* (request stop) and terminating at table 12 2119.

There was a railway bar in Germany, on the Harz narrow gauge, which did that. The model railway ran right round the bar and the train stopped at your table. Elend or Sorge was the station, not sure which.

 

[Scrotnig]

Why? They have some great pubs (with how big a chain they are, it'd be difficult not to!)

I was a big Spoons fan, but the behaviour of Tim Martin when the pubs first had to close was reprehensible. I shan't go in one again.

 

[Mintona]

Why? They have some great pubs (with how big a chain they are, it'd be difficult not to!)

The owner, and the way he treated his staff.

 

[yorkie]

Let's try to stick to : How was the "new normal" pub/cafe experience for you?

Thanks

To discuss track & trace please use this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...system-effective-and-worthwhile.205681/page-2

 

[Mojo]

I think personally I quite like the idea of being able to more readily book a table in a pub. Whilst some in my area have always allowed this, I hope this is something that will last and more venues continue to take bookings going forward. Although having said that it is sometimes nice to just turn up.

We went to an Indian restaurant last night, it’s been open throughout the lockdown for takeaway and delivery in any case. Nothing really different to before although the servers were wearing a face mask when at the table. I had to put my phone number and name in a book, which raised a few data protection concerns (!) however complied anyway.

 

[Bantamzen]

Went out for a stroll around Ilkley yesterday, and partook in a couple or three pints. The first pub was fairly quiet, maybe a dozen or so in, spaced out pretty widely. Ordering was at the bar, and the card machine was down so cash only (or via an app which for some reason I couldn't spot on Google Play). Names & telephone numbers were scribbled down halfway through the visit. Then it was into 'Spoons for a couple more, straight in and to a table using their app to order. All very smooth, and although it was somewhat busier the spacing was good with some dividers between tables. No names taken here.

But oddities aside, it was all quite, well normal really. Which is more than can be said for a couple of folk in M&S at the station, but that's another story.

Disappointing to hear on here of two places that aren't taking customer details. Above cleanliness, this is probably the most important thing they can do as it means if there is an outbreak people can be contacted swiftly.

It's not clear whether government mandates this (their guidance says "should" a lot on this), but I wouldn't frequent a place that was unwilling to play its part in keeping things going. Being able to stamp out small fires that emerge will be crucial in the months ahead, if we are to avoid rapid increases seen elsewhere.

It isn't mandated as far as I understand it, and that's probably because without a nationwide ID scheme it would be incredibly difficult to enforce & check. After all what is to stop people giving false names & contact details?

But judging from what I saw yesterday, many places are keeping a handle on numbers and people are generally keeping a good distance apart.

Do pubs get this from the electronic payment ?

I would hope not, I don't think banks sharing personal details with pubs from card transactions is exactly secure. I suppose technically a government department might be able to request it from banks in certain circumstances, but I doubt the amount of paperwork & time would be suitable for quick track & tracing.

 

[yorksrob]

I would hope not, I don't think banks sharing personal details with pubs from card transactions is exactly secure. I suppose technically a government department might be able to request it from banks in certain circumstances, but I doubt the amount of paperwork & time would be suitable for quick track & tracing.

Yes, I would have thought it would be a case of the data being shared with the tracing agency, rather than between third parties.

 

[Bantamzen]

Yes, I would have thought it would be a case of the data being shared with the tracing agency, rather than between third parties.

I wouldn't have thought it would be sent off automatically, that's way too insecure. The tracing department might be able to request it, but frankly the amount of work that would involve would take too long to be effective. Other countries have used these methods, but with our data laws I'd be gravely concerned if that were attempted here. People have expressed concerns about the track & trace apps, imagine your spending records being automatically sent to the government, and anyone else that might have access?

 

[Bletchleyite]

We went to an Indian restaurant last night, it’s been open throughout the lockdown for takeaway and delivery in any case. Nothing really different to before although the servers were wearing a face mask when at the table. I had to put my phone number and name in a book, which raised a few data protection concerns (!) however complied anyway.

If you have a concern there one way to see if there is a problem might be to slightly misspell your name. If the misspelling surfaces anywhere e.g. on junk mail, you know where it came from.

 

[district]

Went to Spoons at 8am on Saturday morning, following a hair cut. Went in and had to be seated, given a Track and Trace form and asked to return it on exit. Apart from not being able to mingle and some perspex, not much had changed.
Went back to a different Spoons yesterday and much the same. Felt more than happy to be in there.

Will only frequent independents in my city as they need locals' custom.

All businesses need your custom.

 

[Mojo]

If you have a concern there one way to see if there is a problem might be to slightly misspell your name. If the misspelling surfaces anywhere e.g. on junk mail, you know where it came from.

Didnt take my address

 

[Howardh]

Had another night out in Bolton, three pubs, three pints - what was striking (other than they were typically Monday-night almost empty) was each one had it's own system; the first was walk you ta a table, then you get up to be served at the bar then back to the table; and the tracing was a voluntary Q-code scan, the second you walked in, sat where you liked and went to the bar to sigh in and be served; the third was just old-skool with no tracing, sit where you like.
The first two had lots of gel available.
So therein lies a problem, if someone is a bit cautious they would probably be happiest with the first pub but not the latter two; but how would they know which had the best system before they walked in? Especially at busier times?
Maybe pubs should be given stars to display outside depending on which procedures they adapt?
It would be easy to blame pubs 2 and 3 for not following the guidelines to the letter, but they were large and had plenty of space, where the first one is rather cramped and gets full quickly. It's one of the oldest pubs in England if you know it!!
But overall, I felt safe enough, was reminded to put my mask on on the last bus home and I was the only pax!!

 

[yorksrob]

Had another night out in Bolton, three pubs, three pints - what was striking (other than they were typically Monday-night almost empty) was each one had it's own system; the first was walk you ta a table, then you get up to be served at the bar then back to the table; and the tracing was a voluntary Q-code scan, the second you walked in, sat where you liked and went to the bar to sigh in and be served; the third was just old-skool with no tracing, sit where you like.
The first two had lots of gel available.
So therein lies a problem, if someone is a bit cautious they would probably be happiest with the first pub but not the latter two; but how would they know which had the best system before they walked in? Especially at busier times?
Maybe pubs should be given stars to display outside depending on which procedures they adapt?
It would be easy to blame pubs 2 and 3 for not following the guidelines to the letter, but they were large and had plenty of space, where the first one is rather cramped and gets full quickly. It's one of the oldest pubs in England if you know it!!
But overall, I felt safe enough, was reminded to put my mask on on the last bus home and I was the only pax!!

That last point is an interesting one. Part of me thinks that the most effective measure of all would be making sure that pubs don't get too busy in the first place.

 

[Howardh]

That last point is an interesting one. Part of me thinks that the most effective measure of all would be making sure that pubs don't get too busy in the first place.

Every pub is different so one set of rules would be difficult to adhere to. But yes, there must be a capacity limit and pubs keep to, which should also apply outside. The problem with Soho seemed to be pubs adjacent and opposite each other across narrow streets. Could have a case for narrow, congested but open streets across the UK to have some kind of restrictions on entry. This actually happens at some events eg. local festivals, Manchester Pride etc where the streets are cordoned-off and it's ticket only entrance.
I wouldn't dream of going to Soho right now unless that were the case.

 

[yorksrob]

Every pub is different so one set of rules would be difficult to adhere to. But yes, there must be a capacity limit and pubs keep to, which should also apply outside. The problem with Soho seemed to be pubs adjacent and opposite each other across narrow streets. Could have a case for narrow, congested but open streets across the UK to have some kind of restrictions on entry. This actually happens at some events eg. local festivals, Manchester Pride etc where the streets are cordoned-off and it's ticket only entrance.
I wouldn't dream of going to Soho right now unless that were the case.

Yes, the pictures looked busy there. My experience on Sunday in York was a world away, but the key was that I certainly felt well distanced from other groups actually within the pub !