IN a bid to ensure its customers didn’t miss out, the Manor House in Haltwhistle introduced a home delivery service throughout lockdown to support shielding customers.

The move came after Terry Christie, owner of the town centre pub and hotel, noticed an increase in footfall after the July 4 reopening, but found some of the older regular drinkers weren’t coming through the doors.

“I made a point of contacting them and made sure that they were all alright,” Terry said.

“We took the pub to them and did a takeaway service to people’s homes.”

The takeaway beer and dinner service was an instant hit with the local community and ensured the Manor House could expand its business during a time of national crisis.

Terry explained: “It was a brilliant service and it made everybody’s day. A lot of people were shielding and they were really grateful for the service.”

After months of closure and uncertainty, however, reopening the pub posed an uncertain future for trading in the town, Terry admits.

“It was a very nervous time because we were panicking if it would be busy,” he said.

“I was concerned that a lot of the older regulars were not coming in.”

Reopening the pub meant staff had to transform the building to ensure it was safe for all visitors.

Terry said: “I have got very high standards so we have been working tirelessly redecorating the place.

“The interior has completely changed. We have taken away every other table and in between we have put screens up and tape on the floor. There are eight hand sanitising stations.

“We have done everything possible to be safe. A lot of people might think what we are doing is overkill but we have to be careful.”

In November 2018, the pub, hotel, and restaurant on Haltwhistle’s Main Street had been closed for several months while work was carried out after it was purchased from Marston’s Brewery.

And the pub that was once called a ‘sleeping giant’ has grown under Terry’s leadership to win a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.

Tripadvisor gives the award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10 per cent of properties on Tripadvisor.

“The award is fantastic for us,” Terry said.

“It’s based on customer reviews so we must be doing something correct.”

Having now been open for more than a month since the lockdown, the Manor House has taken the new health and safety measures in its stride and is positively looking to the future.

Terry explained: “I am positive for the future. We have repainted the iron railings in the garden, extended the size of the garden and added new signage.

“Every table in the beer garden has been busy and customers are really enjoying it.”