Rushcliffe Police say Saturday’s easing of ‘lockdown’ restrictions – meaning Ruddington’s numerous pubs and other hospitality venues could reopen their premises – did not create any major issues for its officers.
As we reported on ‘Super Saturday’ (July 4th), the new freedoms saw the centre of our village the busiest it’s been for many months (top photo) helped by the return of the Ruddington Village Market, on The Green. Most villagers and visitors seemed to be adhering to the required ‘social distancing’ guidelines.
Julie Smith of the Black Cat Café tells us: “It’s been great to see our friends and customers again. We are lucky in Ruddington, as people have the respect and friendliness to cope with the social distancing rules. Serving customers does take longer, as we adhere to new procedures, for which we are apologetic, and asking for Track & Trace information for those sitting-in feels invasive, but these things are necessary to keep us all COVID-aware.”
Julie, who’s also part of the Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) committee, adds: “Importantly, we can now start to get out and about more, which is what we’ve been missing for so long. I’ve just been reading about the Budget announcement, and this all looks positive as a hospitality business owner. I hope this encourages more people (when they feel safe to do so) to get out and about later on in the year.”
RUDDINGTON.info did receive complaints of some people getting carried away and forgetting themselves later on in the day as the beer flowed and ‘Super Saturday’ progressed. Sarah Anderson of The Ruddington Arms tells us: “Trade has been steady, we have had positive comments from the customers, and they are pleased to be back. However, we had one issue on Saturday whereby a man hit one of our members of staff. Our staff member was okay, although a bit shaken, and we informed the police.”
Lindsey Flint of The Victoria Tavern – which reopened on Monday – admits: “It has been a learning curve for all involved with us making changes every day to make the guidance work for us and to keep everyone safe. The true test will be over the weekend when we will find out if the public are going to return and, if so, in what numbers.”
Inspector Craig Berry of Rushcliffe Police reports that most people have been well behaved so far: “We had no issues with the reopening of the hospitality industry on Saturday in Ruddington or across Rushcliffe” he says. “It was a positive experience for both the customer and business and I would like to thank all those working in our pubs and restaurants for the responsible and considered approach they took last weekend which clearly demonstrated putting public health first.”
It follows a reasonably quiet period for crime in Ruddington during June. Statistics just released for the month by Rushcliffe Police show that just nine offences were reported here. However, these did include the smashing of church windows at St Peter’s and criminal damage at a farm on Asher Lane. It also seems someone was very desperate for a haircut?!
Ruddington crime figures for the past month – from June 1st to June 30th
5/6th VW Golf stolen from driveway – by unknown means – Loughborough Road
7th Criminal damage – van window smashed – nothing stolen – Mere Way
13th Theft from Motor vehicle – window smashed and barber’s kit stolen – Asher Lane
16th/21st Criminal damage – windows broken – St Peter’s Church
21/22nd Criminal damage – fuel pipe cut to generator on farm land – Asher Lane
22nd Burglary – outbuilding entered by forcing lock – power tools stolen – Clifton Lane
23rd Window smashed on vehicle – nothing taken – Sheepfold Lane
26th Burglary – Outbuilding entered – bicycles stolen – Easthorpe Street
30th Theft from vehicle – leaf blower stolen from rear of works vehicle – Vicarage Lane
If you have further information about any of the crimes listed above, or may have captured CCTV footage which could help, you’re asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
