Lancaster pub couple raise a glass to a healthy future

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs and restaurants to close last week, it removed the uncertainty that had been lingering,

Now Dominic and Michelle and their two children Noah, eight, and Ezra, three, are settling into the reality of a new routine without a busy pub and a regular income.

But they have vowed to bounce back at the popular Three Mariners in Lancaster – hopefully better and stronger than ever when the crisis passes.

Dominic said: “Even though we were fully expecting for pubs to be shutdown, Friday’s announcement still came as a shock.

“To shutter a business that we’ve poured our hearts into for seven years was a huge, personal blow, but, to be honest, it came as an immense relief.

"We’d seen a big drop off in the four days since the PM’s announcement to avoid pubs and other social hangouts, but people were still using us, including those in the most at-risk age group.

“We were caught in an ethical quandry between ensuring the survival of our business, our staff’s wages, and protecting everyone’s health.

"Despite removing tables, cleaning with anti-virals, and promoting social distancing, it was a terribly position to be in. We were thankful when the word came to close.”

Now that son Noah’s Lancaster school has closed, the pub’s dining room has become his new classroom as he keeps up with his lessons.

Dominic said: “We are lucky that the government has set out a plan that looks to protect our sector, and the economy, while fighting the spread of coronavirus.

“As long as the application process, and the handing out of the grants and business loans, works as it’s supposed to, we’ll be all set to bounce back as soon as we’re given the go-ahead to reopen.

“Hopefully that won’t be too long. It’s worth noting that while the aid package will fit our small business very well, I can imagine that there’s going to be cases that fall outside it.

"We can only hope that the government is ready and able to step in to give further assistance where needed.”