Kenilworth pub team vows not to give up on Christmas despite ongoing restrictions

The team took over the pub 10 days before the first lockdown in March
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The team at a pub in Kenilworth has vowed to not give up on Christmas despite ongoing Covid restrictions.

Many of Warwickshire's businesses, shops, restaurants and pubs have opened and closed many times this year and this has continued due to lockdowns and tier restrictions.

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On December 17 Health Secretary Matt Hancock read out just a few areas around the UK that moved into tier two, with even fewer moving into tier one, and Warwickshire was in neither list.

The Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo submittedThe Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo submitted
The Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo submitted

This meant businesses in the hospitality sector were going to continue to be hit hard over the Christmas period.

This also included owners of pubs like The Virgins and Castle on the old high street in Kenilworth who will not get to celebrate their Christmas in the way they had hoped.

But the team have vowed not to give up on Christmas.

The new team took over the 16th century pub just 10 days before the first lockdown in March and went on to support the community and create new initiatives to keep business going and give people a reason to visit the pub.

Andy Lock, general manager at The Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo suppliedAndy Lock, general manager at The Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo supplied
Andy Lock, general manager at The Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth. Photo supplied
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Andy Lock, general manager, explained: “Of course we’re disappointed that we’re not opening our doors over the Christmas period, but if it keeps our community safe, then that has to be the first priority.

"We were really looking forward to sharing all the work we had done in the pub on our festive food menus.

"We had events planned in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year and generally wanted to create a special, cosy place.

"Somewhere where people can come together out of the cold and enjoy a drink and bite to eat together.”

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Tier 3 for Kenilworth pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes means that they can’t have people visiting like they did in the summer, but they can offer takeaway.

Andy added: “We got our festive thinking hats on and talked with the team and our guests to see what we could do while we can’t be open.

"Firstly, to keep our business operating and generating revenue, but secondly because we’re being told time and time again that our guests want to support us and that is just incredible.

"In the lead up to Christmas we’ll be offering festive food and drink hampers with our delicious snacks and sharing boards freshly prepared by our chefs. We’ll have indulgent chocolate logs for the family to share.

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"We’ll also have gift vouchers so people can spend them as soon as we can reopen and we’ll have festive mini-kegs of ale as well as a great selection of wines.

"Christmas Day is for our families and so we won’t be open on December 25, but we will be on Boxing Day. With warming mulled wine, comforting hot chocolate and winter BBQ food and snacks to take away.

"We know a lot of people like to take a walk in the beautiful parks around us in Kenilworth and so hopefully we’ll make a nice stopping point on the way.

"It won’t be the Christmas we had planned, but I’m sure that’s the case for everyone.

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"We just want to make sure people enjoy this time safely and we look forward to hopefully opening our doors soon into the New Year.

To order takeaway from the Virgins and Castle and find out about any of their festive offers, go to: www.virginsandcastle.com or call the pub on 01926 853 737.