Dining greenhouses that have sprung up on the banks of Amsterdam’s scenic canals are coming to Norfolk’s waterways.
The Lion at Thurne is looking at a range of ways of getting back to the pumps in the open air.
With the camping and boating trade cut off, publican Ricky Malt said he had to “think outside the box” in order to survive being closed at what should be his busiest time of year.
Inspired by the Dutch distancing model, widely shared on social media which showed people dining in candle-lit greenhouses, he has bought three similar units each seating six.
Meanwhile, the 35-year-old is set to launch a food and drink takeaway service at the pub this week.
And although nothing can be consumed on the premises or in the large garden at the moment people can hire picnic blankets and take their food and drink to the playing field or riverside.
Mr Malt said the pub was well off the beaten track with plenty of space and that the service was more for locals or people dropping by on their bikes rather that those driving from Norwich or beyond.
A limited menu of fish and chips, pizzas and deli board would be on offer with everything including drinks served in sealed containers in line with regulations.
In time he hoped the rules might be relaxed for those with ample outdoor space as the country moved out of lockdown.
Mr Malt, who also has the White Horse, at Neatishead, said he had always wanted to find ways to boost trade in the middle of winter at his pub which was in the middle of nowhere.
The dining greenhouses seemed a quirky way of addressing social distancing during lockdown and providing a fun venue later on.
Bespoke picnic benches will be going inside but the greenhouses themselves will probably not be ready until the peak summer months.
“I am probably working harder now than I normally do,” he said.
“It means we have something to work towards.
“But we are still chasing our insurance which they have rejected but may pay out.”
He said he was planning a soft launch this week with the takeaway and picnic blanket hire, stressing they would be washed between uses.
“We are trying to come out fighting,” he added.
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