Hartlepool pub to serve walk-in customers from Monday, April 12 as it plans to celebrate Christmas again in May

Punters will be served on a first-come, first served basis when the pub in Hopps Street opens their doors on Monday, April 12, for the first time this year.

And while many will be looking forward to having a pint in the sunshine, the pub also plans to keep its tradition and mark Christmas in style – albeit five months later.

Pub manager Deborah Humberston said she is excited to see regular customers again.

“I’m looking forward to reopening but I’m just a bit anxious, because we’ve been closed for so long,” she said. “Customers keep ringing and saying they can’t wait until April 12.”

Face coverings will be mandatory when entering the premises to use the toilets and the rule of six will be observed as well.

The venue has been given a fresh look as well.

Deborah said: "We’ve redecorated the entire pub inside and out throughout lockdown. We’ve repainted the music room and all the outside benches ready for everyone to come back.”

Although she hoped for a full reopening, Deborah is determined to keep customers safe.

She said: "It was a little bit deflating. We knew we were going to be reopening at some point, but we were hoping we would be able to open up fully, obviously with safety measures.

“But it’s only four, five weeks and then we should be able to come inside again.

"It’s just another step until we get everything back to normal. It needs to be done to keep everyone safe.”

Deborah, who described her customers as “massive Christmas fans”, said special celebrations will take place from May 17, if the next stage of lockdown easing goes to plan and pubs are allowed to serve indoors.

"Once we come inside we are doing a 14-day advent that takes us to the end of May. At the end of May there will be our Christmas carols outside with a brass band.”

Mince pies will be served and Santa Claus may make an appearance, although he might be a bit warm.

“He’ll have to sit and catch up with a couple of pints of beer I think,” said Deborah.

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