Northern Ireland

Belfast bar launches 'fresh Guinness to your door' delivery service

Seamas Delaney, head chef at Hatfield House on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, with the bar's new Guinness delivery van
Seamas Delaney, head chef at Hatfield House on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, with the bar's new Guinness delivery van Seamas Delaney, head chef at Hatfield House on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, with the bar's new Guinness delivery van

A south Belfast bar is coming to the rescue of customers missing their favourite tipple during the Covid-19 lockdown - by delivering a freshly-poured pint direct to their door.

Richard Keenan, manager of Hatfield House on the Ormeau Road, said its new Guinness delivery service has already been inundated with orders.

The van has been fitted out with a Guinness tap allowing pints to be poured on the road.

Customers are asked to phone in and pay for their orders the day before and the van will then arrive, pour the drinks into plastic glasses and leave them on the doorstep, ensuring a no-contact service.

Mr Keenan said it was helping to keep staff in jobs and ensure patrons stay indoors.

He said the bar has been delivering hot meals as well as items from its off-licence since March 18 and the Guinness service was a further step.

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After coming up with the idea, the bar manager said some `technical guys' were able to alter the interior of the van to incorporate the tap.

"It is a pre-order system," he said.

"You pay by card and then we leave it at the door and give it a rap.

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"It has been brilliant. It has been really, really busy. We have tried to do it reasonable and stuff. There is no delivery charge."

Mr Keenan said there had been great feedback from customers, including from one man who was thankful to have been able to give his terminally-ill father a much-yearned-for pint before he began a round of treatment.

He said delivery is currently available to the whole of Belfast, seven days a week.

"This is making it easier for people to stay at home and that is a big thing for us," he said.

"We have been streaming live music every Friday and Saturday night. The whole ethos is bringing the pub to you."