One of Waterford's oldest and most beloved boozers is set to reopen its doors later today.
Downses on Thomas street has been in the alcohol trade in one form or another since 1797 - only closing for the first time this March due to the pandemic.
John de Bromhead is the sixth generation of the family to be involved in the business, he says they can't wait to get back to it this evening:
"We decided to open on the first of October, a fresh month and to get a fresh start. It's been very hard listening to the news reports and things, when we open we'd just love to stay open".
John said they have moved furniture around and put up a few partitions but most people won't notice too much of a difference when they come in.
He says the biggest difference will be no standing at the bar and getting used to table service: "we have to learn to be waiters and not barmen, that will be the biggest difference, people will have to put up with us while we learn!"
Downses will open from 5pm to 11.30pm Tuesday to Saturday and John says they are also operating a booking system and people are already booking tables which is encouraging.
He said there will be trial and error while they figure it out this weekend but he can't wait to get back to doing what he loves.
