This is how ‘Super Saturday’ went for Nottinghamshire businesses

As pubs and hair salons reopened in the area, we spoke to some Nottinghamshire business owners to see how it went.
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With reports circulating of fighting and pub closures marring the reopening, many venues were pleased to report a peaceful weekend, with happy customers enjoying their first pint or haircut in a relaxed atmosphere.

Jono Edwards co-owns multiple venues in Nottinghamshire and they all enjoyed a hassle-free weekend, despite the many changes being in place for the first time.

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His town centre venues The Red and Andwhynot reopened, alongside The Junction, The Devonshire and The Lion at Farnsfield.

Door staff outside Andwhynot ready to welcome customers back.Door staff outside Andwhynot ready to welcome customers back.
Door staff outside Andwhynot ready to welcome customers back.

He explained how it went: “We were really pleased to have zero incidents of antisocial behaviour at any of our venues.

“It was hard work for our staff, as we had no real way of preparing for this new way of working, but on the whole it ran smoothly.

“We had a younger crowd in The Red who usually get a lot of flack, but they were respectful and well-behaved, and thanked staff for allowing them to have a lovely time.”

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Jono believes his venues’ booking system was they key to a successful reopening, as it avoided a large influx of people trying to gain entry into his venues, but he also says that, in hindsight, the government’s decision to reopen on a Saturday made things more difficult.

Table service at Andwhynot as customers enjoy their first meal out since March,Table service at Andwhynot as customers enjoy their first meal out since March,
Table service at Andwhynot as customers enjoy their first meal out since March,

He continued: “The whole thing was a learning curve for everyone in the industry, and opening on a busy Saturday meant we didn’t have time to ease ourselves gently into it.

“I feel really sorry for the managers of other venues who ended up with trouble, especially those who were doing their best to work with the guidance they were given from above.

“I just hope that lessons are learned and we can all continue to operate safely.”

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Ian Butler is manager of the Hop Inn in Pinxton and spent lockdown entertaining his regulars online with spoof music videos, until he was able to reopen on Saturday.

Ian pictured behind the bar at the Hop Inn, Pinxton.Ian pictured behind the bar at the Hop Inn, Pinxton.
Ian pictured behind the bar at the Hop Inn, Pinxton.

As a smaller venue, he had obvious concerns about being able to operate safely, but he reports it ran smoothly and his regulars enjoyed being back.

He said: “It went really well, table service worked a treat for us and everyone felt safe and had a good time.

“It was so good to be back, I’ve really missed it.

For many, Saturday also saw people’s first haircuts since lockdown.

Studio 29 on LIttleworth reopened to customers.Studio 29 on LIttleworth reopened to customers.
Studio 29 on LIttleworth reopened to customers.
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Sarah Hill, owner of Studio 29 on Littleworth, was very excited to open the salon doors after three long months.

She said: “It was so lovely to see everyone, it’s been a lot of hard work making sure the salon was safe for everyone, but our first day went really well.”

Sarah spent lockdown remodelling the salon and ensuring they went above and beyond government guidelines to keep clients safe, including perspex screens between sinks, disposable capes and towels and medical-grade wipes to clean workstations between clients.

Sarah says her client’s comments made it all worth while: “One said they felt ‘safer in the salon than they had done going to supermarkets’, so that was such a relief.”

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Clients having their first haircut since MarchClients having their first haircut since March
Clients having their first haircut since March

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