This time, it was a voluntarily decision. Last time, it was enforced.
She opened first outdoors then inside. Outdoor beer gardens are no longer pragmatic in the miserable autumn weather. It takes a certain hardy type under sou'wester, oil-skin cape and gumboots to to withstand the unpleasantness of a damp autumn. As for indoors, it seems that she feels that the restrictions limit her space even more. The pub won't be viable.
But it's likely that the earlier September 24th restrictions were the real break-point for the Vaults: closing at 10p.m. and table service only. This puts pressure on how a pub is able to serve customers within. It means her clientele of largely singles each have to occupy a whole table by themselves, reducing her capacity greatly. Get this wrong and she faces losing her licence. If her customers get this wrong, they will be brassed off if their landlady tries to force them apart. She cannot win. It's as well that the building owner has waived her rent for the time being.
Up to tomorrow at 6.p.m, the rules are:
'Indoors, you are only able to eat or drink with the people you live with (members of your own household) or members of your extended household if you have agreed to form one. Even within your extended household, you can only eat or drink out as part of a group of up to six people (not including any children aged under 11)'.
After 6p.m. tomorrow, extended households will no longer apply anywhere, including in pubs and this adds to the problem.
And, we hear that after check-out on Friday October 2nd, the Ruthin Castle is also to close and this is to include the restaurant and other sundry services. This, too, is expected to be temporary in nature, pending further announcements. It's been a difficult year the the Ruthin Castle, having just partly refurbished.