CUSTOMERS will be able to enjoy a pint in the beer gardens of two historic pubs when they reopen for business this month.
The Howard Arms and The Crown Inn in Carlisle will open for outdoor food and drink from Thursday, April 15 following the government’s easing of lockdown restrictions.
Dianne Irving(pictured), who runs the two pubs, along with The Milbourne Arms, also in Carlisle, said she was looking forward to welcoming customers back.
She said: “We are desperate to get moving, to get the businesses open and get people through the doors again.
“It’s great to be opening the two pubs for outdoor food and drink but it will be even better when we can reopen all three fully including The Milbourne Arms, which doesn’t have a beer garden.”
Dianne will reopen all three pubs from Thursday, May 20 following the lifting of further Covid restrictions on May 17 which will see customers allowed back inside pubs again.
During lockdown, Dianne revamped the interior of The Howard Arms and refreshed its menu, creating a new cocktail menu for the city centre pub.
She said: “We launched a gin bar at The Howard only a couple of months before the first lockdown, and it was so successful that we thought we’d channel that bar-vibe throughout the pub.
“We have kept the authentic interior of The Howard but updated it with some funky additions. We’re also introducing a range of cocktails, and will be launching a new food menu including burgers, afternoon teas and even a super-sized option. It’s The Howard but not as you know it.”
The Howard Arms is also set to launch a Pudding Club and a Dining Club in its upstairs restaurant, which also doubles as the gin bar, with updates on social media during the next few weeks.
From April 15, both The Howard Arms and The Crown Inn in Stanwix will be open for table service from Thursday to Sunday.
Both beer gardens have outdoor infrared heaters and parasols, and can seat around 30 people. Customers will be able to walk through the pub to access the outdoor area and use the toilets.
Dianne has invested in a mobile app system to enable customers to order food and drinks from their seats, and tables can be booked in advance by phoning the pub.
The Howard Arms and The Crown Inn were both part of the State Management Scheme which operated in Carlisle from 1916 until the 1970s. The Howard Arms is one of Carlisle’s most iconic pubs and has been registered in local directories since 1855, while the award-winning Crown Inn is renowned for being at the heart of its community.
Facebook: @crowninnstanwix @TheMilbourneArmsCarlisle @howardarmscarlisle
