Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 11 April 2021
PUBS AND bars across Hinckley have been given the thumbs up from the Government to welcome back patrons for outdoor dining and drinking tomorrow (April 12).
The plans to re-open the pubs tomorrow comes as a part of the Government’s ‘road map’ out of the coronavirus lockdown, but they must only operate with outdoor drinking and dining services in beer gardens and canopies.
This is because dining in-doors is not legally permitted to take place until the middle of May.
The Hinckley Free Press have collated a list of local pubs which are re-opening for outdoor drinks and dinners.
Elbow Room (Station Road)
The Elbow Room Ale and Cider House, based on Station Road, will be operating outdoors from midday tomorrow by using their awning and outside heating to keep patrons dry and warm.
They will use table service to serve customers and use digital payments, like Google and Apple Pay, and contactless card payments, as they have been made mandatory.
Their usual range of cask beers, craft beers and ciders, wines, spirits, and gins and tonics, will all be on offer.
Their ever-popular takeaway service, ‘Elbow in Your Living Room’, will continue to operate, where residents can arrange to pick-up their takeaway pints so that they can drive on down and drink them once they are back home.
The Union Inn (Stockwell Head)
The Union Inn, who have recently painted their beer garden ready for re-opening, will re-open from 11am until 11pm at night tomorrow, but they are enforcing many rules to ensure that everybody stays safe.
They have explained that this depends on both the weather and if there is enough customer demand.
A ‘first come, first served’ basis will be in place for the majority of their tables, but bookings will be accommodated if enough time is given to pub management over private message through Facebook.
Face masks and coverings must be worn upon entry to the garden, whilst seated, and whilst heading to the toilet.
Patrons must remain seated in the beer garden and not move to other tables or stand, otherwise they will be asked to leave the premises.
The ‘rule of six’ is still in place, and entry into the pub building is only permitted to use the on-site toilet facilities.
The Union will only with table service, but the card machine does not reach the garden, so they will choose a designated table nearby to the pub building solely for card payments to be authorised.
A ‘track and trace’ system is still in place – scanning systems will be placed one each outdoor table to that this can be completed from mobile devices. A Union spokesperson has stressed that these must be completed by each individual attendee, not one person for an entire table.
Their garden will be closed once their full capacity of 45 people has been reached – the gates will re-open once a table frees up and becomes available again.
Tarro Lounge (The Crescent)
Tarro Lounge, Hinckley’s branch of the Loungers Group franchise, have confirmed that they will officially be re-opening their doors tomorrow.
The café and bar, who prove to be a hit with residents, offer alcoholic drinks, hot drinks, cold drinks, cakes and sides, as well as hot and cold main meals.
Like The Elbow Room, they will be offering a takeaway service as well as al fresco dining – a click and collect service is also available too, like it has been whilst the restaurant was closed for diners.
Tarro will not be taking bookings for outdoor tables, but their usual and regular ‘walk-in’ basis.
Wildwood (The Crescent)
Wildwood, a popular Italian-inspired chain restaurant are re-opening their unit in Hinckley’s Crescent complex alongside 22 of their other locations across the UK.
They will offer their takeaway service like they have been operating for residents through lockdown, but those wanting to head over for al fresco dining will be able to try their brand new menu, in time for re-opening, includes a range of pizzas, pastas, and grills.
Their new menu even has ‘bigger than ever’ options for vegans and vegetarians.