A STEVENSTON pub says opening up was not without challenges as they adapt to the new normal.

The Station Bar allowed punters back for the first time in months last week to their outdoor space, and yesterday to enjoy a pint indoors.

Pub landlord Andy Gibson, who also owns Saltcoats bar, Four Seasons, says whilst it’s good being back, police are regularly checking up to make sure correct social distancing is in place.

He told the Herald: “It’s been good getting the place back open and all the regulars back in. But the police have been round a lot.

“They have come in and asked us to move the tables because they are not quite two metres, there’s customers sitting back to back, so they have had to move.

“Some of it just seems unfair, we are trying our best and we’ve got all the PPE and all the staff got trained up on a COVID-19 course.

“There’s also no music allowed, no football to be shown or karaoke.”

Andy, who also owns pubs in Glasgow and Paisley, has found getting his hands on heavy to be an issue as Tennent’s haven’t been brewing it through lockdown.

He was also left with out of date stock – some of which was donated to the homeless in Glasgow.

He added: “There’s been an issue with some brewers that we have to pour our half-full kegs down the drain. That wouldn’t be good for the environment and it’s costing landlords extra money.”

The Station Bar looks very different now they have reopened the inside of the pub, which can sit around 24 people with current social distancing guidelines. Glass shields have been introduced at the bar, and hand sanitiser points set up.

Bar manager Siobhian Mitchell, 33, said: “It’s been great, we’ve all missed everyone. It’s a huge change for all of us, but the COVID-19 training really helped. It made us more aware of the importance of disinfecting.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “I can confirm that locality officers carried out a number of joint visits with partners from NAC Licensing to licensed premises across North Ayrshire ensuring they were adhering to guidance and license conditions.

“The purpose was to support license holders, offer advice and ensure premises had appropriate measures in place to ensure staff and customers safety.”