Notes From The Case: December 2020

This is an extract from an article published in the Bentley Bugle, Issue 78, December 2020 – January 2021, and gives an overview of developments at the Case over the last few months.

As this is being written, we are just entering the third week of Lockdown No. 2, hopefully by the time you read this we will be out of Lockdown and looking forward to a ‘near as normal’ Christmas the pub can have, under the current regulations.

At the end of September, following a relatively good summer with lots of visitors to our pub garden and just as the weather was becoming colder; the committee took the decision to install a Perspex screen around the bar. The screen enabled us to offer extra protection to our volunteers so we were able to reopen the inside of the pub. As the weeks went on we had become quite expert in the ever changing regulations for hospitality venues. Our wonderful volunteers took these changes in their stride including; providing table service only, wearing a mask throughout their shift whilst reminding customers not to walk around to chat to their friends and remembering to constantly wash or sanitize their hands. Of course it still felt strange that we couldn’t allow anyone to stand or sit at the bar but at least we were open and a bit warmer, even with all the doors and windows open.

Just before Lockdown we took delivery of an all weather marquee and erected it on the paved area outside the pub. It was felt that those who wished to continue to enjoy the pub’s offerings during the winter months but preferred to be outside should have somewhere that was more protected from the elements.

As with the previous Lockdown our wonderful regular customers helped to guarantee that as before we did not need to pour away any of our cask beers and they drank us dry, just a few days after closing, using the off-licence sales from the pub doorway.

Despite this latest disruption to trading, maintenance work and planning for the future still continues at The Case. During this time the side entrance door, from Case Lane, has been replaced to match the windows and door at the front, as has the window in the lobby area. The garden is still being tended; the gutters and pathways cleared of autumn debris, regular stock takes are carried out and the cellar is clean and tidy just waiting to go in action again.

We plan to reopen as soon as the restrictions are lifted.