WHILE most of the country welcomed the news that lockdown will be eased further from next Monday, one Cumbrian pub owner remains concerned about the future of his business.

Ian Brown, who runs the Bridge End Inn in Dalston, revealed that there were problems for the hospitality sector that extended beyond just being closed.

He said: “Everyone just thinks we can wave a wand and reopen, but that’s not the case.

“It should have been done before, to be honest. I’m pleased but it has taken a long time.

“We’ve been looking for a chef and lots of chefs have left the industry, it’s torture.

“A lot have gone driving for Amazon and doing other things while hospitality has been closed. Once they come out, they see another life. They don’t have to work unsocial hours.

“Everybody is in the same boat – there’s a big shortage of chefs in the business.

“We have two chefs, but we need to run with three for days off and things. With two, we already can’t be open seven days.

“The first week the phone didn’t stop ringing, we had to stop answering it – but the rush to get to the pub has gone.”

In April, Ian spoke to the News & Star about the hardships the past year has placed on the industry – but he was optimistic that the relaxing of lockdown rules meant there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

He also admitted the next month would be dependent on the weather – and sadly, the recent spell of bad weather has been causing further havoc for the hospitality trade, with customers only allowed to eat and drink outside.

Pubs in Workington and Whitehaven simply shut up shop over the bank holiday weekend due to the weather but it’s not the only impact it has had.

Ian continued: “We didn’t open on Saturday because of the weather. We’ve got all our staff just waiting there. Sunday was a waste of time.

“We bought a small marquee, but the weather got to it and ruined it, so that was money wasted. Marquees aren’t meant to stay outside for weeks and weeks, the weather gets to them.

“We’re not even going to open on the 17th. A Monday and Tuesday? I can’t see the point. We’re going to open on the Wednesday.

“Hopefully the weather will be good, because then we will have the best of both worlds."