Residents at care home enjoy pints with friends after pub opens on premises during lockdown

Residents at the Chandler Court care home have been enjoying pints with friends at a pub during lockdown. (SWNS)

While pubs across the country have had to close during lockdown, one establishment has kept its doors open – at a care home.

The Chandler Arms initially opened for people living in Chandler Court in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, over Christmas.

The area was in Tier 3 before the latest lockdown was implemented on Tuesday, and staff at the care home put on regular quizzes and cocktail nights, and screened live sports on a giant TV for residents.

Residents get to enjoy a pint while watching the football. (SWNS)

Staff and residents mingle while socially distancing inside the Chandler Arms. (SWNS)

The Chandler Arms opened its doors for people living in Chandler Court in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, over Christmas. (SWNS)

The pub offers a choice of discounted real ales, lagers and wines. Residents are limited to six people being in the bar at one time and must abide by social distancing.

As well as the pub, the care home – which costs residents around £1,000 a week for basic care – also has a cinema, cafe and hair salon.

Watch: What you can and can't do during England's third national lockdown

Resident Martin Dowell, 80, said: “Back in the day, the pub was the life and soul of the community and a place to meet up, so it is great to get the chance to meet up with other residents in the home on a Friday afternoon for a pint and a chat.”

Manager Dawn Covill added: “We all miss going to the pub, and in these challenging times, there’s nothing like catching up with an old friend over a drink or two, so when residents told us they missed their local, we thought we’d bring it to them.

“For many residents, the pub is associated with a lot of positive memories from their younger years, from their first-ever drink to countless hearty meals with family or friends, and everything in between.

Residents are limited to six people being in the bar at one time and must abide by social distancing.

Staff at the care home put on regular quizzes, cocktail nights and screens live sports on a giant TV for residents. (SWNS)

"The Chandler Arms’ opening was a huge success and residents left with a smile on their face.

“Ironically, it turns out we’re the only pub in the UK to be unaffected by the tier restrictions, so we’re looking forward to our next pub night.”

Boris Johnson announced a full national lockdown for England this week, with pubs, restaurants and schools all shut down until a review on the restrictions in February.

Watch: Will vaccines provide the way out of lockdown?