A group of Edinburgh bar operators spearheaded by Anna Christopherson of the Boda Swedish Bars and Restaurant Group have formed a group to support one another through the recovery as restrictions ease for indoor hospitality in the capital.
Anna told DRAM, “I’m working with Ghislain Aubertel at The Green Room and Martin Luney and Colin Church at The Voyage of Buck among others and we are supporting each other with stuff like the two-hour booking slots, helping each other out with any staffing issues, rates – all sorts of things. It’s been really nice to have other operators to lean on. We’re all helping each other remain positive too.”
Anna has also reported healthy trading on the first day since restrictions eased. She said, “My units are usually thriving local neighbourhood bars and we’ve had lots of support from landlords, so I haven’t incurred massive debt but I was still unsure how things were going to pan out when restrictions for indoor hospitality were lifted.
“Luckily it was great. Pearce’s was full yesterday inside and outside, and we are still talking 40 per cent capacity of course. Long may it last. I just hope customers haven’t changed their habits too much, and early indications are it’s not just the drink they are looking for, it’s seeing people and meeting friends and feeling connected to the local community,”