Forum Topic

Spencer pub serving drinks

I notice the benches outside pub all seats are being used even the ones that are taped off is this not allowed at the moment social dissenting is not being enforced by management most places with benches are turned upside down so nobody can use them . Surely it’s takeaway only ?

Roy Jones ● 2136d24 Comments

But in a pandemic we are also responsible for other peoples health. Whilst I agree people should take responsibility for themselves they also have a responsibility to the rest of us.

Andy Pike ● 2131d

I do wish that many of public, who are complaining against the rules and the Govt, would just shut up and have a think. Surely we have a responsibility to read up on what's going on and make up our own minds.  What happened to personal responsibility?  We are all responsible for our own health and wellbeing.... and let's keep the NHS services for people who are seriously ill, for whatever reason.

Bunny Payne ● 2131d

"The bottom line is that it is almost impossible to remove the risk of acquiring the infection; we can only reduce it."That is why other countries use test, trace and isolate in addition to these measures!

Ed Robinson ● 2133d

Sue. There's are reason pubs have lavatories - if large amounts of liquid are dispensed sometimes if you've got to go, you've GOT to go! Particularly in a beautiful, natural setting 🙂https://flic.kr/p/2iHrptE

Michael Ixer ● 2133d

The factors determining transmission of the virus are how close you are to an infected person and the other is the "viral load" which is about for how long you are in contact. Even today, there have been no randomised trials anywhere in the world that establishes safe distancing. The only advice authorities have come up with is that a distance of 1.0 m results in a 13% chance of infection. At 2.0 m this reduces to 3% and halves again for each further 1.0 m distance apart. Wearing eye protection reduces the risk by 22%.  These were the findings, published in the Lancet on 1st June by the COVID-19 Systematic Urgent Review Group Effort (SURGE) which is an international group of scientists who reviewed data concerning over 25,000 people. The bottom line is that it is almost impossible to remove the risk of acquiring the infection; we can only reduce it. I heard this morning that alcohol sales increased by 12.5% during the lockdown.

Roland Willis Gilmore ● 2134d

Plenty of pubs doing takeaways across London now. The first to open near us was in The Earsfield three weeks back, The Spencer opened last Saturday, although restricted opening times.I was really hoping the Putney folk wouldn’t follow the do gooders in Barnes who have been moaning about The Waterman’s Arms. I wonder how some people think these pubs survive without any income? It’s tricky! Would people prefer to see staff on the dole? Incredible really!When people spend money in these pubs it’s also benefitting the economy believe it or not, we have a deficit to pay back.Been loving meeting with my dad and friends again for a social distancing pint, everyone behaving very well. The only downside is the plastic waste that I can see. Ps the people that I’ve witnessed urinating have been the picnic and sunbathing brigade. Nothing to do with the pub.

Nick Gulliford ● 2134d

The WHO, Hong Kong, Singapore, nd China all say 1m apart is enough. Australia and Germany recommend 1.5m while South Korea opts for the equivalent of 1.4m.It really illustrates that the distance thing is only part of reducing the risk. It really depends upon how many people around you have the virus. Unlike the countries above we did not have test, trace and isolate!We will pay a higher economic price.

Ed Robinson ● 2135d

@Bunny"..it's a case of biological difference!!"Hindered by no quick release and constricting underwear!!

Sue Hammond ● 2135d

Unless my eyes have gone all Barnard Castle it was two women I saw in the church grounds while out on a walk with my partner and daughter!

Ed Robinson ● 2135d

Sue, I don't think it's a case of dignity, it's a case of biological difference!!  Although I don't approve, you know we all would if it was possible.... in my youth, well let's not go there, all very dignified!!

Bunny Payne ● 2135d

Hear hear Gabrielle!  Nice to hear some local businesses at least are trying to keep going!  I might be tempted to wander over now I knowRe 2m well that’s hopefully more likely to be squashed now that MPs are finding out how impractical and inconvenient it is back in Westminster.Listened to the chief scientist chap a few days ago claiming that risk at 1m was 15-30 times higher than at 2m (despite other countries surviving with 1m) and then saw a study out showing its only a factor of two, and outside is negligible anyway.  The blind leading the blind!  Hospitality can’t survive with two metres so hopefully our bumbling politicos will at least reduce to 1.5m to give them half a chance poor people, or better still come up with practical advice, eg in Hong Kong tables of 4 people are allowed with spaces around.

Mike Warman ● 2135d

Dirty mare!

Sue Hammond ● 2135d

Well I did see a woman having a pee in Charlwood Rd in broad daylight not that long ago!

Martine Guy ● 2135d

Ha Ha.

Barbara Stevens ● 2135d

Pi$$ing in public seems to be ingrained in males. They are taught to do it as toddlers if they are out and need to have a wee, unfortunately many carry on whipping out their favourite toy in public when they are old enough to know better.  Women have more dignity. 😇

Sue Hammond ● 2135d

I personally wouldn't do this, but I don't think it's a bad idea, also think the "Spencer benches" should come back, marked appropriately at a 2m distance.  After all, you are allowed to get together with 6 people.Cafes are doing the same thing and people sitting outside.  Instead of being bossy, perhaps we need to remind people of the rules and let everyone take personal responsibility.

Bunny Payne ● 2135d

The Watermans Arms in Barnes is also doing a: Order at door/pay/get drink/retire to the riverside/enjoy.Long queues but great to see people getting back to some small sense of normality.Also the river is a great place for a quick p1$$...I'm sure the women somehow manage when needs must :)

Simon Knight ● 2135d

The church grounds were also being used as a convenience.I'm not sure what plans WBC have for opening toilet facilities in the borough, I hope it's not left to the last minute!

Ed Robinson ● 2135d

Walked up Lavender Hill yesterday and Brewdog and the Breakfast club are selling pints of beer in a plastic glass as takeaway out front. Simple choice, flat £5, all distancing observed. Customers can carry their beer up to sit on Clapham Common. Nice to hear that The Spencer is doing this too. Single-use plastic is obviously a step back in the wrong direction, but excusable as a temporary convenience. Now if only the British Public could learn to place their rubbish in bins, and if the bins are full, take it home... and their full bladders !

Bill Christie ● 2135d

The rule is that pubs can do takeaways if they have a lid over them and they tell the individuals to not drink them until they are 50 yards away which granted is further than those benches. However I'm all for trying to keep every business afloat and would not want pubs to stop doing takeaways as this is their only form of revenue at the moment. It would probably be better to move them onto the common at a 2m distance.

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2135d

Then it's for WBC to act or the Spencer themselves to take action to stop the benches being used ie removing them temporarily.

Andy Pike ● 2135d

Andy, you may be right about WPCC suspending the license, but in fact the benches being used are those on the pavement outside the Spencer and not the ones normally placed on the Common. So it would be a bit of a stretch for the Conservators to intervene. Although I’m amused by the idea of Simon Lee donning a uniform and riding one of their horses up and down the Common to prevent illicit peeing.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 2135d

The other thing is there are no toilet facilities so likely that many users will be taking advantage of the common to relieve themselves. Careful what you might see when walking the dog,. So maybe WBC would have a public health ground to suspend the sales along with poor social distancing grounds, and public decency.

Andy Pike ● 2135d

This is a problem in many areas and makes a mockery of pubs are shut rule. The Spencer probably has a licence that includes off sales which is really for consumption off the premises ( ie at home although it wont specify that exactly). Pubs are using this as a loophole and it really is against the spirit of lockdown. The off sales licence is not for sales in pint glass/plastic containers to be consumed adjacent to premises. Surely ( and I'm gonna agree with John Cameron here) the WPCC can suspend  the agreement to stop this practice or WBC can rescind this element of the licence during the current emergency. It is sharp opportunistic and will end up as a magnet for all sorts of undesirables as it has elsewhereOn the general bench issue I note on Wimbledon Common all benches are now usable so assume that applies af Putney Common.

Andy Pike ● 2136d