AFTER visiting two Meliden pubs to hear of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Vale of Clwyd MP, James Davies, has commended their determination to bounce back and is encouraging people to help their recovery by paying them a visit.
Dr Davies visited pubs “The Miners Arms” and “The Red Lion” on Friday (March 4), along with Meliden councillor, Gerry Frobisher, and had a lengthy discussion with both landlords to find out more about how the pandemic affected them and how they are recovering.
Both pubs championed the support packages they had received from the UK Government during the pandemic, but said despite restrictions having been lifted, business is still slow.
Dr Davies said: “The pandemic has been particularly challenging for all British pubs and there is no doubt that the road to full recovery is going to be a long one.
“They are doing all they can to attract more business, but with some people still wary of going out, it has not been easy.
“We were told that with fewer people going out to eat, perishable food is being wasted, which is obviously hampering their recovery.
“The Red Lion is endeavouring to attract more customers by broadening what it offers, with the introduction of wood fired pizzas, whilst The Miners Arms has had a kitchen refit and is once again providing an array of fresh food.
“I was impressed by the resilience of both pubs and their determination to bounce back. They were once both thriving businesses and I have every confidence that there can be a return to this success, but it will only happen if we all get behind them.
“They also raised with me the need for further financial support from government and I will be writing to the chancellor to identify all support that is being put in place for the sector going forward.”
Diane Thomas-Mealing, of The Miners Arms, said: “It has been tough for the hospitality industry, particularly here in Wales, where we don’t seem to have received as much support as hospitality businesses in England.
“Even now we are back open, unfortunately we are still struggling.
“I think people are still cautious of going out and we are a lot quieter than we would like to be.
“All our food is freshly cooked and it’s very difficult to know how much to do, so there is a lot of waste.
“We recently had a kitchen refit and are open for food again every day except Monday.
“It would be great to see customers old and new.”
Ben Devlin, of The Red Lion, added: "The past two years have been extremely difficult for all in the hospitality industry and connected businesses.
“The support packages put in place by the government were a lifeline for everyone.
"During COVID, we managed to build a new outdoor eating/entertainment/pizza oven area, which throughout last summer was hugely successful.
"As we are now coming out of the Omicron outbreak, I feel that public confidence is at an all-time low regards going out and mixing which is having a detrimental effect on the pub trade.
"I feel a government-led campaign should be launched to encourage people to go out and socialise once again.
“If they don't, we risk losing the much-valued British boozer and what each one gives to its retrospective communities contributing to village life."
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