Big Tree pub increases seating after ‘phenomenal’ post lockdown trade

A Sheffield pub manager has increased the size of his beer garden after describing trade in his first week since lockdown rules were relaxed as ‘phenomenal’
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The popular Big Tree at Woodseats has been fitted additional seating and a marquee with outdoor TV so customers can watch all the latest sporting action.

General manager Adam Chamberlain said “We’ve erected a marquee- our beer garden is pretty well sheltered but we wanted to put the TV outside so we could show the live sport.

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It’s something we planned for the Euros so we fast tracked it to make it more appealing for the customers and it offers a little bit of shelter.

Customers enjoying a pint in the sun at the Big Tree pub, Woodseats.Customers enjoying a pint in the sun at the Big Tree pub, Woodseats.
Customers enjoying a pint in the sun at the Big Tree pub, Woodseats.

Like a lot of publicans Adam was surprised with the turnout when lockdown restrictions were eased last Monday.

“The first day we were open we were expecting an average trade but it was huge, he said.

"We took record sales on the first day on Monday.

“The weather has played a big part but it has been phenomenal for sales and an absolutely brilliant atmosphere.

“We’ve not had any trouble whatsoever.

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He has extended the beer garden into the car park and installed picnic benches for an extra 24 covers and hopefully will be adding another 24 for this weekend.

“On Saturday for example we were fully booked by Wednesday last week and we were having to turn people away which is not something we want to do,” said Adam.

“We want to accommodate as many as possible- not just for sales but for people who have left it a bit late to book or didn’t realise you had to book.

“I’ve absolutely loved it, the atmosphere has been brilliant . We came back for 12 weeks between lockdowns so I’ve been off for almost a year. It’s great to be back at work and what is the closest we’ve had to a proper pub atmosphere since this all started.

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“All the regulars have come back which is good.and for the staff to have that engagement and banter you can see their faces light up.”

Adam emphasised it is table service only and is encouraging as many punters as possible to use the Greene King app to order their drinks.

He said: “It makes our life so much easier if people download the Greene King app and have the order delivered to their table.

"The procedures a staff member has to do are cut down by about 75 per cent, we can serve people quicker and it reduces contact. You can use Paypal with the app and start a tab and finalise it at the end. The app is definitely the way forward.

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“All bookings will have their table secured for 1 hour 30 minutes to ensure we can welcome as many people back to the pub. Should they want the table for longer we can let them know on arrival as it will depend on the number of bookings we have and other customers visiting us on the day.

“If all goes to plan with the government roadmap we’ll be set to welcome people back for indoor bookings from Monday 17th May onwards. It will be brilliant when we have a whole pub again.”

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