Return of background music will hit the right note at Inverness pub
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THE UK government’s Eat Out to Help Out proved quite successful for one Inverness pub and the landlord is convinced it helped encourage more people to venture out.
Diners were given money off their meals, between Monday and Wednesday, when outlets would normally be quieter.
Monday will be the last chance for customers to get a bargain meal as the initiative was only running during August.
Craig MacLeod, of the Innes Bar in Innes Street, said it had been relatively popular and added: “It’s brought in a few faces that we’ve not seen before. I think it was a good idea.”
They put preparations in place so they could open the beer garden area when they were allowed to and they have also opened the pub’s interior following guidance from the Scottish Government.
He said: “Things have slowed down a bit to be honest – Friday and Saturday are usually okay but it is quieter through the week.”
Mr MacLeod said this could be due to the initial novelty wearing off and he added that there had been no issues with the new safety measures.
He said: “People are coming in with the masks on and, if they move about the bar, they put the mask back on. We’ve not had any problems at all.”
Mr MacLeod said it would be good to be able to have background music again because that was part of a pub’s “ambience”. He added: “Nobody wants to sit in a bar, especially the ones on their own, and there is nothing in the background.”
He said people were growing more confident, especially those from a younger age group, and older people would grow more confident over time. “I think so, eventually, but it is going to take time,” he added.
