Rugby MP visits Bilton pub to find out how our town's pubs are adapting to Covid-19

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey enjoyed a pint and chat when he was invited to the Fighting Cocks pub in Bilton to learn about how publicans in the town are adapting to cope with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Pubs were able to reopen their doors on July 4 following the Government guidance on track-and-trace and social distancing.

Many pubs across the borough have now reopened and are welcoming customers back through their doors.

Alongside this, the Government has launched the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme which will help support pubs and restaurants by giving people up to 50 per cent off meals out between Mondays and Wednesdays during August.

During his visit to the Fighting Cocks, Mr Paswey met with publican David Hine and Julian Searle, who is the regional manager for the EI Group, who are one of the largest operators of pubs in the UK - including the Fighting Cocks.

Mr Pawsey was able to talk to them about both the challenges of re-opening pubs in the wake of Covid-19 as well as the support for the industry which has been provided in recent months.

Speaking after pulling a pint at the Fighting Cocks, Mr Pawsey said: “Pubs such as the Fighting Cocks are an important part of Rugby and Bulkington’s social and economic fabric and I know that like me, many residents will have missed meeting friends and family at their local pub.

"I was really interested to find out how pubs are adapting the new way in which we need to do things in line with the public health guidance, and I was impressed by how effectively the staff at the Fighting Cocks were putting in place the right measures.”

Fighting Cocks publican David Hine said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mark to our pub after the difficult period of lockdown and demonstrate his support for the industry.

"We have worked incredibly hard to put all the Covid-19 secure measures in place to keep our staff and customers safe.

"We have missed them as much as they have missed us but whilst the assistance from Government, EI Publican Partnerships and our local community has been extremely welcomed, there remains a long road ahead of us if we are to thrive and not just survive.”