90% of operators had no difficulties with authorities upon reopening
The poll by HIM/MCA Insight, a division of The Morning Advertiser’s parent company William Reed Business Media, also revealed when broken down into operator types, 184 of the pubs asked had not encountered difficulties with authorities but 14 had.
Some 121 of the 198 pubs operators polled had not been contacted by the relevant authorities about reopening.
When it came to the reopening weekend, 84 respondents from across the hospitality sector said trade met expectations, 54 said it was quiet and 50 said it was busy.
Common sense
One operator said: “The big hype was unfounded. People had three months to get used to social distancing and generally knew what was expected. After all, they were adults and had common sense.”
However, another operator reported the prediction of a surge in bookings did not happen in their area.
They added: “After cycling around the city and monitoring the venues that did open, the trade was disappointing to say the least.
“Our neighbouring bars are opening this week. We will monitor to see how trade is. We are not opening until August when we feel at that time the virus is under a more manageable control. At that time, we think customer confidence will slowly begin to materialise."
Confidence levels
Some 96 of those surveyed reported no problems with recording customer data and 135 stated customer generally obeyed distancing rules.
On future confidence, of the 308 board level operators or founders asked, 57% showed a level of confidence on the future of their business while 44% were not confident.
However, the poll took place before Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement about a VAT cut and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
Poll respondents included 308 founders or board level operators across pubs, restaurants and the food-to-go sector.
