As we progress along the governments roadmap for exiting lockdown, the hospitality industry is preparing to reopen in York, after being closed for months.
There are mixed emotions about returning to work amongst everyone but hopefully by the 12 April hospitality venues will begin to serve people sitting in outdoor areas again.
Thomas Bradbury, 21, works behind the bar at Revolution in York. He told YorkMix: “I’m quite excited to go back because I’ve missed everyone and also it gives me a sense of normality.”
Adding to this, Thomas said “I’m a bit nervous about returning but that’s mainly because it’s been so long. I just feel lucky enough to still have my job after everything.”
Speaking about how things will be when they bar reopens, Thomas responded “Things might feel different for the first few days but I’m sure once we set out how to work with the restriction in place, we’ll be able to get back to a sense of normality and make it as enjoyable as possible for customers.”
Louise Cardozo, 21, also works in the hospitality industry as a manager at Oscars Wine Bar & Bistro. Louise told us she’s feeling positive about re-opening and that the bar has lots of new and exciting ideas ready to welcome customers back.
Louise added “ensuring the safety of staff and guests is the top of our priority list. We are preparing for a particularly busy time as the weather gets warmer and coming up with ways of limiting contact between guests and staff.
“I’m under no illusion that the service we will be providing will be different from that which we gave pre-covid, but we have continually had to adapt and change throughout this whole pandemic so I am confident we will be able to do it!”
Rebecca Dinsley, 21, works at The Old Bank (which used to be The Graduate), on Lendal. The pub is planning to reopen in April as they have beer garden for outdoor seating.
Rebecca told us that “I honestly can’t wait to return to work. Just knowing I’ll be surrounded by loads of people again is exciting to me.
“I’m more excited than nervous but I am still a bit anxious about having to build my confidence back up after not working or being around people for a while.”
Talking about how she thinks things will be when she returns to work, Rebecca told YorkMix “I think the first two weeks will be hectic. I’ve honestly forgotten what ‘normal’ feels like when working.”
Elizabeth Colcombe, 22, works as a waitress at Ate o’clock. She told us that she feels a bit sceptical about returning to work, but is also grateful that she still has a job at the independent, family owned business.
Whilst talking about the lifting of restrictions, Elizabeth explained that “I feel like when the world ‘opens back up’ it’s hospitality which gets the brunt of it. It’ll be my work which gets a huge wave of different people from all over the world around such an uncertain time.”
“Hospitality is being used as a guinea pig to see if covid’s still prominent because, restaurants and pubs are the only thing which anyone’s bothered about doing after the lockdown lifts.”
Tod Barnbrook, 23, is a team member at The Eagle and Child pub on High Petergate.
Explaining about how he feels about returning to work, Tod told YorkMix: “As of now, I think the excitement and anticipation is outweighing the hesitance that will no doubt come. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to be looking forward to it, and I’m the same.”
When asked what Tod is most looking forward to about being able to work again, he didn’t hesitate. “The people. It’ll be wonderful to surround myself with people other than my household.”
