'It has to be done because Boris says so' admits landlord ahead of 10pm curfew

“If that’s what Mr Johnson says has to be done it has to be done,” said David Rhymes, who runs The Gardeners Arms in North Parade Avenue with wife Jenny.

David and Jenny Rhymes 

When they started out 27 years ago in 1993 they could never have imagined their trade would ever be interrupted by a global pandemic.

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Mr Rhymes added: “It certainly has been a tricky time and it’s not getting any easier - we will just have to see how it goes.”

After being forced to close like all hospitality businesses when lockdown was enforced in March, the pub reopened in July.

But the latest restrictions could harm trade further.

Mr Rhymes said: “We have track and trace and it’s table service now - people are being asked not to come to the bar.

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“The pub is very long and narrow like a railway carriage and people are used to coming to the bar to get served but now from now on it will have to be table service.”

North Parade Avenue Picture Google Maps

The landlord added that the 10pm curfew - a legal requirement - could have an effect on trade because after 10pm was the time that students would call in for a drink before they went to another venue.

He added: “Some of our elderly customers have come back after lockdown but some have stayed away.

“We want people to come in and enjoy a drink - you can still have a good time going out.”

The Greene King pub offers real ales including, at the moment Golden Hen, Greene King Abbot and the pub’s house bitter, plus three lagers, two ciders and Guinness.

There is also bar food including curry, moussaka, and lasagne.

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Mr Rhymes added: “There are not so many people around during the day because more people are working from home so there has been less demand for the food lately.

“The brewery has been as helpful as it can be with the rent - it’s certainly a worrying time for the hospitality sector - pubs, cafes and restaurants - we are all suffering at the moment and we will have to suck it and see - if they put hindsight in cans we would all be better off.”

A 10pm curfew for all pubs and hospitality venues was in place across England from last night.

The measure came in about three months after restaurants and pubs were allowed to reopen their premises.

The Prime Minister said the new 10pm curfew means physically “closing and not just calling for last orders”.

This will most likely result in last orders being called at 9.30pm to ensure bars are empty to comply with the new closing time.

A trial pedestrianisation of North Parade Avenue could start next month and last until December.

The street, located just off Banbury Road, is home to about 30 businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs. The North Parade Residents and Traders Association has been collecting traders’ views.

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Mr Rhymes added: “It’s a nice friendly street with quite a few different businesses and a Saturday market, which is running this weekend.”