Hundreds of Walkden residents flocked back to their local Stocks Hotel pub to make its first day back in business a huge success.
The pub, on Manchester Road, opened for the first time in six months last Monday as one of only about 30 per cent of venues in Salford able to satisfy the outdoors-only rules.
Despite the limitations, managing director Tim Coulston was delighted to see so many people back at the pub which dates back to 1898.
He said: “It’s been really, really positive. The first day alone we had in excess of 600 people across the day.
“Being just an outdoor venue, and with the Great British – particularly Manchester- weather with the rain, we were a little unsure of what to expect, but thankfully we’ve had the weather and we’re very happy with the results.
Image Credit: Luke Gregory
“We’ve done a lot of preparation for reopening, and its just great for everyone involved that we are back open.
“Its just so good, everyone’s just happy to be out of lockdown. The team have got their jobs back and the customers have got their local back. It’s been a great experience.”
The pub is now counting down to May 17, when venues can serve food and drinks indoors.
In the meantime though, the pub, where bookings are not needed, has set up a number of tables outside the front of the pub, where customers can sit in groups of up to six.
Orders are placed online via a QR code, totally contactless, from 11am to 11pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays).
It’s so simple to order from our beer garden! 🍺☀️
Scan the QR code on your table, select your drinks & snacks and one of our lovely bartenders will bring them over to you 🍹😋
We had over 1,200 scans last week! Can we beat that this week?! 🤔🍹 pic.twitter.com/WkVmphlPk1
— The Stocks Hotel (@TheStocksHotel) April 19, 2021
Many of the restrictions have been maintained since the previous opening, which Mr Coulston maintains is critical for the pub to stay open.
He explains: “We’ve got someone at the door at all times making sure everyone is sat down, you can’t be stood up. We’ve also kept all the hand sanitisers which are all over the place .
“You’ve got to order on a smartphone via the QR code, and now everyone has got to check in via track and trace, as opposed to last time where only one person in a group needed to check in.”
Mr Coulston, who has been at the helm for four years, has made a vlog of the first week back, which can be found on his personal YouTube channel below.
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