At a time where family and friends normally come together for some festive cheer, pubs across Croxley were forced to close their doors again as Three Rivers entered Tier 3 with very little notice.
This was devastating news for pubs who find that Christmas is their busiest time of the year, but also a time where giving that pub experience to customers is truly magical.
Jason Keen, owner of The Artichoke in the village said that it was “heart-breaking” to see the pub close again as they opted not to remain open for takeaways.
He said: “Having done takeaways in lockdown one, it’s a lovely thing to do and you’re supported locally but the support receive isn’t enough to maintain a commercial business.
“We’ve had to make decisions this time round thinking more about people’s mental health.
“Three quarters of our kitchen team have families abroad and it would be unfair to keep them here and not let them home to see their families.”
Jason added that after receiving an inkling that a move into a higher tier was likely, he rearranged his stock cycles so he didn’t end up with an excess but knows that others will not have been so lucky.
He said: “People that are relatively new to the trade that would have placed really big orders to get stuff in and they will be sitting on mountains of stock.”
Jason also shared his devastation that all the effort the team has put in to provide an enjoyable COVID safe experience for customers is going to waste.
He said: “We are can-do people that want to develop experiences for our customers but are being led by a government that are using our industry as a scapegoat for COVID.
“My overarching view is one of upset and frustration that business have tried so very hard and delivered COVID secure experiences are being penalised at a time of year when as a country we need to come together as families and community.”
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