How South Shields' Lawe Top pubs will welcome back punters when lockdown restrictions are lifted this weekend

The area’s longstanding pubs will start pulling the pints again from this weekend when lockdown restrictions are lifted on Saturday, July 4.

Landlords at the Harbour Lights, in Lawe Road, The Lookout in Fort Street and The Beehive at the top of Mile End Road are keen to see punters returning again.

The Lawe Top has seen a decline in footfall in recent years from what was once a thriving part of South Shields’ pub scene.

But when former landlords of the Holborn Rose and Crown, Chris and Karen McKeller took over the Harbour Lights in September 2019, they teamed up with Michael Ward – new landlord of The Lookout - in a bid to rejuvenate the area.

Now after months of empty bar stools due to the coronavirus pandemic they are preparing to welcome back punters again – albeit for a somewhat different drinking experience than they may used to.

The Lookout will open on Saturday, July 4 after a major refurbishment inside following an electrical fire in November 2019.

The pub was forced to close several months before the lockdown was imposed and work has been done in line with government guidelines, such as moving the bar to allow for a one-way system.

Michael said: “We had to think on our feet. We put in the one-way system so social distancing is more controllable and changed the bar so that it’s still practical after Covid – but this is going to be the reality for the foreseeable future.

“It would be great to see people enjoying the Lawe Top again.”

All of the pubs have reduced the number of tables and seats available and will be operating a table service, with limits on groups of no more than six people from different households.

Toilets will have a one-in-one-out system in place and will be cleaned every 30 minutes.

Games machines have been switched off and more staff employed to cope with the new measures.

The Harbour Lights, which will open on Monday, July 6 has reduced its capacity by just over half and will be temperature testing people as they enter.

“It’s been really tough for us all, but we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get the pub ready and are hoping to have our kitchen open for food in September,” said landlord Chris McKellar.

“We’re over the moon to get our regulars back, that’s who we’re going to be focusing on at the moment.

“We want people to come and enjoy it, but it’s also about being safe.”

Meanwhile The Beehive Inn will not be opening until August 1, while work is ongoing on the outside area.

Lindsay Young, who took over the pub in October 2019 commented: “People are understandably worried about going out, but our priority is make sure they feel safe so they can see how well we are able to manage it and will hopefully keep coming back.

“We really want to try and build this area back up.”

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