Owner of an English pub has installed an electric fence to keep thirsty customers at bay in the name of social distancing.
Jonny McFadden, who operates the Star Inn in St Just, Cornwall, told CNN that he installed the electric fence in front of the pub’s bar for the purpose of social distancing.
“It’s a very small pub, the first and last rural pub in Cornwall,” he told newsmen.
England’s pubs were allowed to reopen their doors on July 4, after being closed during the UK lockdown. Social distancing is still mandatory and customers have to hand over their contact details before they enter to help with coronavirus tracking if needed.
McFadden said he conceived the idea to use the fence as he was preparing to reopen the pub.
“To protect staff and myself and my customers you have to put in the meter [distancing] rule,” he said.
McFadden detailed that he wanted “to put some rope, or chain” to make sure customers kept back from staff at the bar but couldn’t find suitable equipment.
“I thought, this is not going to keep them [the customers] back,” he said. So instead, he opted for the fence to see “what that does.”
The fence is not usually turned on, but the sight of it has managed to deter some customers from crowding near staff.
“It’s not on but it’s got the desired effect that everybody thinks it’s on and they keep well away from it. It’s the fear factor. It’s working very well,” McFadden said.
When he was questioned on how customers reacted to the innovation, McFadden said: “It was quite comical. We’re in a rural area so everybody knows what an electric fence is. I got a little sign too on it – ‘electric, danger.”
Source ; CNN
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