The Mid Sussex pubs reopening this weekend – and what you can expect

Pubs in Mid Sussex will be welcoming back customers this weekend for the first time in more than three months.
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But popping down the local for a pint will be a new and different experience for all of us.

Table service, reduced hours, menus and less capacity are among a raft of new safety measures introduced by pubs in the district as they adjust to the ‘new normal’.

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Matt Palmer, owner of The Sportsman Pub in Goddards Green, said he was holding out for better weather as the pub gets ready to reopen its doors at 11.30am on Saturday.

Landlord Matt Palmer of The Sportsman pub in Goddards Green and some of his staff ahead of reopening. Picture: Steve RobardsLandlord Matt Palmer of The Sportsman pub in Goddards Green and some of his staff ahead of reopening. Picture: Steve Robards
Landlord Matt Palmer of The Sportsman pub in Goddards Green and some of his staff ahead of reopening. Picture: Steve Robards

“We are blessed where we are as we have a garden, if the weather is on our side this will be an advantage,” he said.

“But if the weather is bad, we will have a quarter less capacity in the pub.”

He confirmed the pub in Cuckfield Road will be now be open five days a week, rather than seven, with the reduced hours of 11.30-9pm, a reduced menu offering and reduced capacity.

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“On Mondays and Tuesdays we will be closed,” said Matt, adding: “It is also not viable for us at the moment to be open until late at night. We have also stopped breakfast.”

The Oak Barn Bar & Restaurant in Burgess Hill. Picture: Steve RobardsThe Oak Barn Bar & Restaurant in Burgess Hill. Picture: Steve Robards
The Oak Barn Bar & Restaurant in Burgess Hill. Picture: Steve Robards

He added that it was difficult to say whether people will come out in their droves this weekend.

“It will be a very different picture to what we were doing before, and whether the confidence is out there, we don’t know,” said Matt.

“Whether people will be happy to come out with their families or if they have the income to do so, there are lots of factors to think about.

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“We will just have to wait and see who comes through the doors to be honest and we will embrace those that come in with open arms – but no physical hugging of course!”

The Heath Tavern in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street ViewThe Heath Tavern in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street View
The Heath Tavern in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street View

The Cowdray Arms in Balcombe will also be reopening its doors on Saturday – at 11am.

Manager Nickie de Havas said: “We are excited and we are raring to go. We have done a professional risk assessment with new safety measures in place, such as extra cleaning, hand sanitisers going up, a rota for keeping up with things and table service. And we are advising people to book by email but we will accept walk-ins this weekend.”

She said the pub will be open as normal from Saturday, from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week, but with a reduced menu.

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“We feel quite confident because these measures are in place,” added Nickie.

Fox & Hounds in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street ViewFox & Hounds in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street View
Fox & Hounds in Haywards Heath. Picture: Google Street View

“All the staff know what they’re doing and we look forward to welcoming everybody back.

“We hope the weather behaves itself. We are a very close team and are all looking forward to coming back and serving lots of people again.”

The Oak Barn Bar & Restaurant in Burgess Hill is reopening to customers on Saturday for drinks and sandwiches, and on Sunday it will be open with a limited menu.

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“We are looking forward to it – we are ready to go,” said manager Chris Harris.

He added that new safety measures included table service, reduced tables, hand sanitisers and extra cleaning.

The Heath Tavern in Haywards Heath says it will start trading again on Monday, July 6.

Friars Oak in Hassocks. Picture: Google Street ViewFriars Oak in Hassocks. Picture: Google Street View
Friars Oak in Hassocks. Picture: Google Street View

The Fox and Hounds in Fox Hill said: “The wait is almost over – book now and dine with us from 4th July.”

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Friars Oak in Hassocks also announced it was open for bookings from Saturday.

And The Horse Inn Hurst will be open on Saturday. On its Facebook page it said it had enjoyed an ‘incredible amount of support from you all’ during lockdown.

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