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GREAT IDEA: St Albans pub reopens as Christmas shop to spread some cheer after lockdown 

 Published on: 8th December 2020   |   By: Holly Bullen   |   Category: Uncategorized

A pub in St Albans has found a creative way to adapt to the new tier system, which meant that pubs in Tier 2 were only allowed to serve alcohol with a ‘substantial meal’.

The White Swan in St Albans decided to reopen as a Christmas shop, as the pub isn’t food orientated so would have resulted in a huge loss for the family run business.

Andrew McGuinness, manager of the pub, said that after leaving lockdown and entering a higher tier then they were in previously, opening the pub just wasn’t worth it.

He said: “We know we would be busy if we opened but financially it would ruin the business.

“We would survive but it would just mean more money lost at Christmas time which is usually the only time of year we make money.”

Andrew added that the Christmas shop full of products ranging from bottles of whiskey to jewellery, toys and gift sets is a way putting a smile on people’s faces.

He said: “When you get inside it feels like a different world altogether, it’s a bit of an escape from everything that’s going on.

“We aren’t doing it for the money, I wouldn’t like to think about what we have lost, it’s just really to give us a bit of light and put a smile on people’s faces.”

Andrew also said all the restrictions required with opening the pub would have added a great deal of stress and dampened the Christmas spirit.

He said: “This time last year the place was jammed full of people having a good time and dancing but now everyone is sitting down in their household not being able to laugh and enjoy themselves and only eating their food and leaving.

“It’s very very clinical, you go in and you’re immediately greeted by someone with a mask and sanitiser.”

Check out the new Christmas shop at The White Swan on Upper Dagnall Street.

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