A DERRY publican says he is delighted he has been given a date for reopening his city centre bar.
Patrick Durkan’s pub doesn’t serve food.
It’s been closed since late March.
Yesterday the executive said pubs which don’t serve food – referred to as “wet bars”- will be able to reopen on 10 August.
Mr Durkan says he believes it was wrong that wet bars have had to wait.
“It was unfair and we risk losing patrons.
“Twenty-one weeks will have elapsed since we closed,” he told BBC Radio Foyle.
“It has been a very frustrating time for owners, customers and everyone. People want to get out for social sustenance as well as a beverage.”
He says there may be some apprehension about reopening with public health measures in place.
“There will be a learning curve for management, for staff and for customers but we will ramp that up very quickly.”
He has made a number of physical changes to the bar, including screens, a new serving areas and a one way exit and entrance system.
There will be extra staff too, to “manage people, the movement of people, and the serving of people”.
“We just have to meet the climate,” he added.
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