Royal Victoria Pavilion and The Little Prince open on Super Saturday
19:19, 04 July 2020
updated: 13:10, 05 July 2020
Super Saturday proved a very civilised affair at Kent's smallest and biggest pubs, which both re-opened today for the first time since March.
We visited The Little Prince in Margate and the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, to see how they were enforcing social distancing measures and to hear what customers thought of the 'new normal'.
The Royal Victoria Pavilion - Wetherspoon's largest UK pub - welcomed customers from 8am but with many new rules in place.
To start with, it has removed many of its usual tables to ensure that customers can sit a suitable distance apart - with stickers added to the furniture to make sure people know not to move it around.
In addition, large partition boards have been placed between some tables.
More signs inform punters to keep left when going up and down the stairs, where to queue at the bar and where to stand when waiting in line - whether to get inside or place an order.
Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the huge two-storey pub, which boasts upstairs and downstairs outside areas with views over Ramsgate beach. Staff were also ready to clean tables after customers left.
Customers are encouraged to order food using the Wetherspoon's app, which means you can avoid a visit to the bar.
Staff in the kitchen were wearing masks and others are situated at the doors to direct people where to go.
Some areas are still out of bounds - several booths have been taped off, while the game machines are also not in use.
There are also different doors for entrance and exit.
And while customers filled many tables, others remained empty during KentOnline's visit around lunchtime today.
Retired truck driver Alec Blair Dooner said he was very pleased the pub had re-opened and couldn't praise the staff highly enough.
Mr Dooner, 72, said: "It has been very well looked after. You can't fault it. The staff are great, the service, the food. It's all brilliant here.
"It's nice that it has re-opened. I feel safe, absolutely.
"Social distancing is great but it all depends on how everyone will be."
Jane and Tony Ballsdone had popped in for a hot chocolate and coffee after doing some shopping in town.
The Cliftonville couple said: "It's great it has opened and they are making a good effort to keep everyone apart.
"This premises lends itself to that as it is so big.
"At the moment it feels safe because it is so quiet. That might change later."
Manager Chris Whitbourne said: "It's been steady so far, obviously the weather's not good for us down at the seaside.
"But we're delighted to be open again, it's been several months since we've been able to welcome the customers back to us.
"We've made a lot of changes to make sure all the staff and customers are safe in the pub.
"We're following all the government's social guidelines in regards to distances between tables and queues and we look forward to seeing everyone back inside the pub really soon."
It was a similar experience at The Little Prince, except on a much smaller scale.
Everything felt calm and well ordered.
Photo gallery from Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate
The quaint pub, located in The Old Kent Market in Fort Hill, only measures at 10ft (3m) by 6ft 6in (2m). Because of this, customers place their order at the pub and then wait outside in the communal seating area.
But the seating has been reduced by around 75% to meet with social distancing guidelines.
Mark Breen, who owns the pub with wife Tracy and business partners Stuart Donson and Glenda West, said: "I'm happy I can open and start making money again. It has been quite stressful.
"It's not going to be the same; we've reduced the tables by about 75%. Before we had benches and more tables but now only have seating for 20 people.
"It's still hard work but we will get there. But we're happy to see people sitting here again in the seats."
During his time off, Mr Breen learnt how to make cocktails and has now added them to the menu at the pub.
Other changes include hand sanitiser at the Market's entrance and on the tables, switching to plastic glasses, adding a screen and bar staff Niamh Edgington and Isabella Zale, both 18, wearing gloves. There are also separate entrances to enter and exit.
During our visit, three of the tables were occupied at one point, with customers having either grabbed a drink at The Little Prince or food from one of the other businesses in the Market.
Mr Breen said: "We've had a steady flow of customers. If the weather was nicer we'd be busier."
Overall, it was quiet and civilised at both venues, with many precautions being taken to keep customers and staff safe.
The customers that had braved the seaside wind to visit the pubs seemed happy to be able to visit their favourite spots once again.
One customer, who didn't want to be named, said: "It's certainly different. Is this the new normal and how long will it be like this?
"But it is nice to see everyone doing what they can."
