In a bid to accommodate as many customers as possible upon re-opening, the Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy has decided to stick to two hour time slots and serve drink only to those who buy food.

The government have ruled that no more than 6 people should be at a table, but they have removed the requirement for a meal or a time limit.

Many angry commentators on the Riverside’s social media pages do not appear to realise that although time limits or meal requirements are no longer compulsory, they are still optional for a business to decide to do so if they wish.

And when you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense.

The Riverside has been closed for most of the last 14 months and its revenue has been severely impacted (along with most other businesses).

The government restrictions will continue to allow only 6 people at a table. Presumably the Riverside want to avoid a situation where 1 person having a few pints is blocking up a table all day, when plenty of others could be availing of their service.

If this is a step necessary for a local business to survive, protect jobs and provide its service to as many people as possible then it is an excellent decision.

But what about the person who wants to have a quiet pint on his or her own? It’s very simple – they can go somewhere else.

It is not unusual in many different sectors for businesses to impose time limits on their customers in a bid to accommodate as many people as possible. Hairdressers do it, beauticians do it, physiotherapists do it, opticians do it and many more.

Two hours is more than enough time to enjoy a meal. It is a consequence of the government continuing to impose capacities and table limits on restaurants. As long as such restrictions continue then we will see restaurants taking steps to ensure that they can serve as many customers as possible. Who can blame them? I’m surprised more restaurants haven’t decided to do similar.

They are also charging a deposit to book a table. Again, when restrictions are tight, restaurants cannot afford to have empty tables due to people not showing up. Another necessary decision.

If we want our local businesses to survive until the government allows them back to normal, then we have to accept there will be some minor inconveniences in the process.

We hear a lot of talk about supporting local businesses, yet when an excellent local business puts a rule in place to accommodate as many customers as possible, it is met with undeserved criticism.

To book:

The Prom Bar Wexford | Pubs In Wexford | 4* Riverside Park Hotel