A CAMPAIGN chief has welcomed the reopening of pubs across North Wales and beyond.

The Leader reported in July how pubs were preparing to open outdoors only following changes to lockdown restrictions.

Regulation changes have since seen pubs able to open indoors as well.

Chester and South Clwyd Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chairman Brian Vardy said a limited number of premises in Wrexham and Flintshire took up the option of opening outdoors.

He said: "More pubs have now reopened, which is excellent - and a lot of them are places which don't really have much in the way of outdoor spaces, so it is all the more important that they can now do so. "They are all running at reduced capacity, with most of them achieving this by taking tables and chairs out.

"One or two have put up screens and introduced a one-way system if they can. "Our advice to people is to check the pub's hours before they go.

"Most of them are operating on restricted hours at the moment because after the last customer has gone home, they have to practically dismantle the pub and deep clean everything.

"It's wise to book as well - most pubs will let you in if there's space but some are operating on bookings only."

Mr Vardy previously told the Leader of his concerns about the impact covid-19 will have on the region's wider pub industry.

"It's still a concern," he said, "but it's less of a concern now that they can reopen. "Some pub companies have been collecting or charging rent to their tenants throughout the crisis, so now the poor licensees have to make not only enough money to pay their currently level of rent, but the back rent too - at a time when they can least afford to pay it.

"Some pubs in Cheshire have already closed and I know one in Holt - the Peal O' Bells - has not reopened."

In a statement on Facebook last month, a spokesman for the Peal O' Bells said: "It is with our greatest regret that [we] have no plans to re-open the Peal O' Bells after the lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

"The current situation has made it very difficult for the industry and many other businesses to survive.

"We both had great plans this year for the pub, that hopefully would have seen it going from strength to strength, but COVID-19 has made this impossible to implement for us.

"We would like to thank everyone, our regulars, staff and many friends we have made in the last three years of us running this great pub.

"We hope you all have great memories as we do of our time here."

Mr Vardy has urged the public to continue supporting their local where they can, adding: "The pubs have gone to great lengths to make it as safe as possible for people.

"You'll be shown to a seat in most pubs, and won't be allowed to go to the bar. "The only member of staff you'll come into contact with will be delivering your drink."

Camra's website https://whatpub.com