The inside scoop: what it's like to be back working in a pub after lockdown

The inside scoop: what it's like to be back working in a pub after lockdown

Steph  Baker our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 02/11/2021

It’s been just over three months since the doors of our pubs, restaurants and bars closed and our teams hung up their chef whites and poured their last pints.  The moment our government announced that we could reopen, the M&B family got busy preparing our pubs and restaurants so we were ready to safely welcome our guests again.

We spoke to Casey who works as waiting staff at one of our businesses to find out what her time away from the pub has been like and how she feels after her first week back to work. Here’s the inside scoop:

What role do you do and how long have you been with M&B?

For the last three years, I’ve worked for M&B as a Team Member at the Plough in Harrow, which is one of our Premium Country Pubs. The flexibility of this job has allowed me to gain some great experience in the hospitality industry whilst studying for my degree at university.

What did you miss most while away from work?

Just being productive, admittedly I fell into a bit of a rut during the lockdown and felt like I would accomplish nothing with my days, there are only so many zoom quizzes and Netflix series you can watch. Being back at work, back with my team and seeing the regulars has really helped me to mentally get out of that rut and get back to my old self.

How did you feel coming back to work?

At first, I was nervous and quite anxious at the idea of coming back to my restaurant job, but once I was made aware of the new procedures that have been put in place and I saw them in action I was instantly eased. M&B has been really supportive throughout the lockdown, sharing regular updates on what’s happening within the business and giving us all the information we need on new procedures to make the return to work as seamless as possible.

What was the first order you took when your pub reopened?

It was a table of two of our regulars who shared that they couldn’t wait to come back to see us. They ordered a Dirty Burger with added halloumi and 7oz Fillet Steak, medium with beef dripping sauce and a side of onion rings. Our regulars probably know the menu as well as we do and know how to put together a mouth-watering meal.

What has it been like working in a pub since they reopened?

I thought I would have forgotten how to do everything, having been away from my waiting job for such a long time, but once I stepped back into the pub everything came flooding back. It has been so nice to be reunited with the team and the transition has been much easier than I thought it would be. Every single guest has been lovely and really understanding which has made us even happier to be back.

What has been changed in your pub post lockdown?

There has been a lot to learn and get to grips with since we have reopened our Premium Country Pubs, but I’m grateful that these new measures are in place because it makes the pub feel like a safe place to work. The changes have been carefully planned so that you still get that warm and inviting pub feel and we have had lots of positive feedback from our guests which has been lovely!

A couple of the main changes are…

  • We ask all our guests to sanitise their hands when they arrive, and we explain the new safety measures to them.
  • We do more detailed cleaning throughout the day for example, after each guest leaves we clean all table surfaces, table legs, chairs and chair legs before the next guests are seated.
  • All our menus are now paper disposal ones, they are thrown away after our guests have used them.
  • There is social distancing throughout the pub – our table layout has been changed to ensure our tables are at a safe social distance and there are social distancing signs around the pub to remind everybody of the new measures.

How do you feel after your first week back and what’s been your favourite part?

It’s really good to be back, the pub feels really safe and our guests are happy. It’s almost like there wasn’t a 3-month break (although my feet are adjusting more slowly to the new routine)! Being reunited with the team and welcoming our regulars back to the pub has easily been the best part of coming back to the work. We’ve kept in touch virtually as a team during the lockdown, but nothing beats seeing each other face to face.

Find out more about #lifeatmab

We’re over the moon to have welcomed Casey back but the since the safety of our guests and staff is our number one priority we’re making sure that any changes made are in line with government guidelines. It’s the hard work of Casey and the rest of the team that has helped us provide a brilliant service for our guests, where everyone is safe, comfortable and reunited with their perfectly cooked 7oz Fillet Steak. Want to join the M&B family? Explore our bar jobs or find your perfect opportunity by searching our head chef jobs.

List #1

Some articles you might like

rising star - general managers at M&B
Essential skills for becoming a successful General Manager at M&B

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

Thinking about becoming a General Manager? Here’s what you’ll need to succeed The path to becoming a General Manager is as rewarding as it is challenging, but success doesn’t happen by chance.  I

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

General Manager of the year awards - three people smiling on stage
Celebrating M&B’s General Managers of the Year: Inspiring Stories of Growth and Success

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/04/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), our General Managers are the heartbeat of our business, driving excellence in hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences.  We believe in celebrating su

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

image of kayleigh
How a temporary Christmas job at M&B kickstarted Kayleigh’s career in hospitality

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

Temporary Christmas jobs are a great way to earn extra cash for the holidays while gaining valuable work experience. They offer the chance to build new skills and try out roles like bar, waiting

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

two men and one woman working in a kitchen in their chef whites and smiling
Everything you need to know about being a Kitchen Manager at the different M&B brands

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/28/2024

Summary

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead a buzzing kitchen team, create memorable dining experiences, and make your mark in hospitality, you’re in the right place.  To give you a better ide

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Image of scottish hills and lake
Celebrating St Andrew’s Day: Job opportunities in Scotland

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/27/2024

Summary

As we approach St Andrew’s Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate not only the rich culture and history of Scotland but also the opportunities available within Mitchells and Butlers.  What is St

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

image of hala
Home and away, the job that's here to stay: M&B’s university transfer scheme

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/27/2024

Summary

It’s that time of year again, university students are going back, freshers is in full swing, and so many students are moving across the country!  We know that having a pub job at uni is the best

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

waiting staff greeting guests at M&B - customer service in hospitality
Crafting memorable moments: The importance of customer service at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/22/2024

Summary

In today's busy world of pubs and bars, it's not just about the drinks. What really sets a place apart is how well they treat their guests. At M&B, we believe that every interaction is an opportu

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

image of bar staff serving drinks with a smile
From serving to socialising: Why Bar jobs in London are a great choice

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/22/2024

Summary

So, you're thinking about a bar job in London? Let me tell you, it's not just a job – it's a lifestyle upgrade!  Picture this: every shift is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and ex

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

image of part-time staff holding drinks tray
Looking for a part-time job? Here’s everything you need to know to get started!

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

What is a part-time job?A part-time job is pretty much what it sounds like—a role where you work fewer hours than a full-time position.  For anyone looking to earn some extra income, balance work

Teaser

Find out more
Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Christian from Stonehouse
Can you go from Chef to General Manager? Yes, you can!

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees.  We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Chef

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ

Departments

Chef

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Beckenham

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As a Chef at Toby

Reference

2350251

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Food Production Operative

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ

Departments

Kitchen Assistant

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Beckenham

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  With your suppor

Reference

2350249

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Christmas Kitchen Assistant

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Toby Carvery - Eden Park, Beckenham, BR3 3HQ

Departments

Kitchen Assistant

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Toby Carvery

Location

Beckenham

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  Unwrap your per

Reference

2350248

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search