Rule of six 'makes drinkers feel safer' says Oxford pub manager

Adam Hall, who runs the Rose & Crown pub in North Parade Avenue, with his parents Andrew and Debbie Hall, has welcomed the new guideline designed to help prevent the spread of the virus.

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He said it would give older customers more confidence to come to the pub when it comes into force on Monday as they may have been worried about large groups of young people attending.

Adam Hall

Mr Hall said: “We have one table for five or one for a group of four so I don’t think the rule of six should affect us too much - it could actually help.

“The students are not back yet and some older people have reservations about large groups of young people walking around.

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“This new rule could make people who are more cautious feel more confident.”

Mr Hall’s parents have been running the free house since the 1980s and he has run the bar for the past 10 years.

It’s a family affair and his sister Annabel will take over the cooking of the pub grub later this year, including all the most popular dishes - pie and mash, pie and chips, fish and chips and a pint of sausages.

Mr Hall added: “Since we reopened in July week on week there has been a slight improvement - it’s slow and steady progress.

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“You can just turn up at the door but if you book then you are guaranteed a table and people have to be turned away at busy times.”

The bar manager said the pub’s outdoor space had been a ‘lifesaver’’ with just nine seats used inside and up to 25 people sitting outside in groups of four which are zoned off with pieces of plastic.

Tables outside the Rose & Crown

“We do have a reduced capacity and 90 per cent of our business is now the courtyard,” he added.

Mr Hall said he hoped North Parade Avenue would soon be pedestrianised by the councils in the same way that part of George Street has been closed to vehicles. He added: “There is not a lot of traffic down here anyway - I’m hoping that will happen soon as it will help going forward as we would be able to put a few more tables outside.”

Pubs across Oxfordshire have been focusing on drinkers using outside space because they feel more confident the virus is less likely to spread.

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of the real ale group CAMRA, said the new rules should not affect pubs too much. He added: “There shouldn’t be much change as most pubs keep to the rules and don’t take bookings for large parties.

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"But there could be fewer family gatherings now and it’s another disincentive to go, so not welcome. A bigger challenge could be the cooler weather, and if the return of students packs out the pubs then many older people won’t want to go, given the recent publicity about more virus cases among the under 30s."