A PUB in Whitehaven has adapted to unprecedented circumstances during the pandemic.

Popular pub Joe Bananas is set to reopen this weekend, operating in the style of a cocktail bar.

The Duke Street venue is set to reopen with many UK pubs and restaurants this Saturday following a scaling back of the Government’s coronavirus lockdown. Pubs are being allowed to reopen as long as they have safety measures and social distancing in place.

Owner Jason Fisher and his hard-working staff are making preparations as they will be serving drinks in a very different setting.

Mr Fisher said: “You can’t serve people at the bar. People will order drinks and pay at the bar and we’ll bring them to the table.”

So the business model has changed to that of a cocktail bar to allow Mr Fisher to reopen the business.

“It’s fantastic to have the business back on its feet," he said.

“I think all businesses, given the opportunity, should open and give back to the public.”

Mr Fisher’s team are hard at work behind the scenes to make sure staff and customers are safe from the spread of Covid-19, while enjoying a drink in public for the first time since lockdown. A new beer garden will be introduced as well as a new menu of cocktails. The team is making the best of the situation, aiming to create the relaxed atmosphere of a lounge bar.

There will be signs and posters in the premises keeping people up to speed on social distancing and hygiene as well as a one-way system and increased hand sanitising stations to abide by Government regulations.

Joe Bananas will also be taking part in the NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace system.

“You’ve got to do everything you can to keep people safe – if you don’t it could spike up again.”

The Government is asking restaurants and bars to support the service which looks to monitor contact with the coronavirus.

Although it is a challenging period for traders, Mr Fisher is remaining optimistic.

“People might find it a bit strange at first.”

He said: “There’s no standing, there’s no dance floor, we’ve got Covid screens. It’s a completely different business entirely compared to what it was.

“It might be a good opportunity to try something different.”

Joe Bananas received a Best Bar None accreditation from Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie in 2019.

Mr Fisher is hoping to see a return for Whitehaven’s high street and pub scene following the pandemic.

“There are some other businesses opening in Whitehaven – the more the merrier. Hopefully each pub will create a different atmosphere," he added.