Lindsay Taylor 'can't wait' to get back to her pub.

The landlady of The Crown Tavern in Oakham responded to Boris Johnson confirming a July 4 opening day as "amazing!"

She continued: "I need to get back to normal. Everybody needs to get back to normal."

Lindsay took over the premises in Crown Walk, High Street, 13 years ago in September when she was only 23.

Her fiancé Ian Bryers also helps her run the place, as well as a nephew and a part-timer called Katie Clarke.

For a time, Lindsay's brother Russell Taylor would make food for the pub, but after he died in a tragic accident two years ago, Lindsay decided not to offer food anymore.

But it has successfully carried on as a 'wet' pub due to a 'great bunch of regulars.'

Looking back over the past few months of lockdown, Lindsay has been making some preparations and having some family time.

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She also admits to 'being naughty' opening the bar to some friends the day after she was ordered to close to get rid of some stock.

The pub received a visit from the police, but Lindsay says she has since heard many other pubs did the same.

During the shutdown, the Crown Tavern remained firmly closed, while it quietly underwent some renovations, some of which were revealed on its Facebook page last week.

Lindsay continued: "In the 9-plus years being with my fiancé, he has helped me get the pub looking the way it does now, with him having completely renovated the whole place. We have six TVs showing Sky, BT Sports & Amazon.

"Although our doors have been closed we have been working every week on improvements to the main pub, bar, seating, cellar, smoking area and toilets. Innovation is the key and we always want our customers to get the best experience.

"We have installed perspex on the bar, three sanitation points, a one way in one way out system, purchased all relevant PPE for staff members. We will be having a few tables outside that need to be removed from the pub to keep Customers socially distant.

"We are also starting to take card payments when we open back up as it used to be cash only."

With the Prime Minister announcing social distancing of one metre-plus, as opposed to two metres, Lindsay said that would help her pub 'brilliantly' as it is quite small. Only a few tables in the middle of the pub will have to be removed.

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Looking further ahead, Lindsay commented: "I think the industry will take some time but will be back to normal eventually, people just need to make sure they keep their personal hygiene paramount and avoid shaking hands and hugging people etc.

"I think it's been amazing how the government has helped us with grants and self- employment grants as without those I wouldn't be able to open my doors again, but it will soon run out so opening up soon is so important to get the economy back up and running."

She added: "Although we state were a sports bar, we also welcome anyone that's not interested in sports to come and have a nice drink in a family friendly relaxed atmosphere. We also allow people to bring their own food in. Dogs are welcome too."

• Publicans, come and tell us about the preparations you are making to re-open and when you plan to do it. What impact did lock down have on you and what have you done during it? Please share your story with our readers, who hopefully will become your customers, if they aren't already.
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