PUB bosses in the Borders have shared their views on the 10pm curfew, which came into force on Friday (September 25).

The new rule, introduced by the Scottish Government, is designed to help limit the spread of coronavirus.

Pubs and restaurants must make sure customers leave by 10pm – otherwise, the business could be fined.

Rob Chisholm, one of the managers at the Ship Inn in Melrose, told the Border Telegraph that the first night of the curfew was “rather strange”, especially when deciding the timing of ‘last orders’.

Mr Chisholm, 41, said although he supports the curfew, he believes there is a flaw in the system.

"I wholeheartedly support the curfew, but I don't think it's been thought through enough," he said.

"There are five or six venues near each other in Melrose with clients leaving at 10pm and waiting for their transport.

"Where are they all going to go, but the square?

"I just don't think they thought it all the way through."

Border Telegraph:

^ The Ship Inn, in Melrose, in spring 2020 before its facelift. Photo: Helen Barrington

Mr Chisholm said the curfew has also meant the pub will likely see a loss of takings.

"You can't do pub crawls and you can't order a last drink after 9.30pm.

"So, for example, if a table sat for dinner at 8pm, by 9.30pm they may be having dessert, so they can't order a drink with that.

"Effectively that's £100 of takings lost from a table."

He added that the pub is in strict compliance with the law.

"This is the COVID Act, and we have 100 per cent adherence.

"We're making sure there's a rule for all – no exceptions.

"We're trying to have a softer approach when relaying information to our customers.

"We don't want them feeling like they're being told off by their granny."

'Hopefully it will help'

In Galashiels, the owner of The Gluepot said the weekend “went OK”, but he suspects people are still wary of venturing out.

Graham Philip, 60, said: "A lot of people are still scared – they're not coming out.

"It is what it is. We'll have to wait and see what happens."

This newspaper asked Mr Philip if he thinks the curfew is a good idea.

In response, he said: "If it helps it will be [a good idea] but we have to wait for the figures.

"Hopefully it will [help]."

'We're a safe environment'

Before the curfew was formally introduced, the Border Telegraph spoke to business owners in Peebles to get their reaction to the announcement made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday, September 22.

Central Bar owner Roddy Mackay said: “Of course we’re going to stick to the government rules, but two hours off our day – I don’t think it will make a lot of difference.”

Mr Mackay, 62, said he is unsure how the decision to impose a curfew was made.

“I’d like to see the figures,” he said. “By blaming pubs and restaurants, they’re making them out to be unsafe.

“I feel pubs, restaurants and bars are the safest places, especially with our cleaning regime – we’re a safe environment.”

The Northgate bar decided to reduce its capacity from 75 to 26, which Mr Mackay said will be a big blow for the business.

House parties 'are a bigger problem'

The owner of the Neidpath Inn, Andrew Hittle, shares Mr Mackay’s concerns.

Mr Hittle said: “We personally don’t believe pubs and restaurants should be punished.”

The 43-year-old said he believes unregulated house parties are the greatest culprit in the spread of COVID-19.

“Pubs have systems in place – one-way systems, distancing.

“There’s no track and trace at house parties, so they can’t detect if someone is spreading the virus.”

Mr Hittle doubts the curfew will do much to change people’s behaviour.

“People will still frequent pubs and restaurants – they’ll just come earlier,” he said.

Last Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said she would consider closing pubs if she had the financial power to do so.