Good morning!

Today I’ll be live tweeting my personal experience of working as a bar assistant on the day of #PubsOpening. If you are going back to work in a pub re-opening on (or returning as a customer) pls share your experiences at #PandimicPints.

@KandidaPurnell

The pub I’m working in is not named for anonymity reasons. I have been given consent by the publican to do this. It is part of an ongoing 8-month ethnography. No other staff member of customer will be referred to directly without consent.

#Pandemicpint

So today is the day #pubsreopen! The pub I’m working in will be opening its door at 12.30. I’ve already done 2 hours of setting-up and cleaning as we have been operating as a takeaway service for 6 weeks.

#Pandemicpint

I live above the pub. I’m having my breakfast now & printing off numerous documents I created for the publican in regards to COVID-19 Guidance on Social Distancing & Hygiene, Trace & Trace, risk assessment, entry signs, table bookings.

#Pandemicpint

Yesterday evening I wasn’t meant to be working in the takeaway draught beer service we had, but we became so busy I needed to do a shift. Many customers spoke to me about how much they were looking forward to #pubsreopening. There was a buzz.

#Pandemicpint

This is one of the signs I produced. They will be displayed throughout the pub. The risk assessment had to consider the potential of increased violence and aggression as the public are not necessarily used to be being told what to do in a pub environment.

#Pandemicpint

Yes, I know #Corona is a virus not a disease but the signs have already been printed and displayed.

I help to convene the pubs social media. I’ve just had to reply to a number of enquiries about booking tables for today. The pub isn’t taking anymore bookings & is now operating on a 1st come 1st serve basis for available seating.

#Pandemicpint

We also still have a number of people phoning the pub’s landline & the publican’s personal mobile phone to try to make bookings.

It looks like it’s going to be a very busy day.

#Pandemicpint

The takeaway service of draught pints has brought a new clientele to the pub – a lot of passing trade people who are now regulars. I haven’t seen many of the former regulars since the pubs closed. Wondering how #reopeningpubs will affect who comes back & who stays?
#Pandemicpint

We've been open for 5 minutes and haven't had 1 customer yet

#Pandemicpint

First customers are entering. It’s a booking for a birthday party of 6 people from 2 household (all men). They want to watch the march. We have to tell them that we can turn the volume up too far.

Publican just informed me that I may set in the bar to observe, but that I’m not to work as he wants me ‘fresh’ for tonight when my shift starts as we’re going to be very busy.

#Pandemicpint

Publican also just informed me that myself & other staff are not to attempt to enforce the regulations ourselves, but tell him & he will do it. It’s for our own safety. He has been working in pubs for 35 years & in his own words ‘some of the roughest you’ll find’.

#Pandemicpint

Should give some background about the pub. It’s a small Irish pub situated in 1 of the affluent areas of London, but within a borough with a high economic divide. 10 minutes away there are mansions, 10 minutes in the other direction there is a large council estate.
#Pandemicpint

More customers enter. Again, young male in their 20s

Publican is doing table service.

Someone is also buying a beer from the takeaway service.

#Pandemicpint

More customers enter, it’s a couple (man & women) is their 50s. Publican shows them the choice of available seating. He then gets them to fill out their contact details for track & trace.

#Pandemicpint

I’m very glad to see all entering customers using the hand sanitiser at the door.

Each table also has hand sanitiser on it.

#Pandemicpint