The bar opens and other plans for life

Thursday, 2^nd March

I met with the accountant and Mr Allender today, Mr Allender has organised all the permits with the council to get the house painted. We had 3 quotes, and I just needed to give the go ahead. It will be done in June. I told them that we will be permanently residing at the house and we want to rent out the flat, probably doing some work to make it more appealing. I would like to put Ben onto the deeds for the house and the townhouse. I had altered my will when we got married, and basically I do not need to put his name on the deeds, but he still calls the houses “yours”.

We have received the money for the old club, and I have paid Ben back most of his money. The accountant had recommended some investments for his money, it is divided into different places, so he can access some of it at short notice without paying penalties, and some of it is long term.

Yesterday we went to the flat to start tidying, and I actually missed the car. I am sure we will get used to not having it quickly. I have to remember to carry more cash if I want a taxi, the journey to the new club is a bit awkward on public transport, so we will probably use more taxis, especially at night.

Our first night trading experienced a few problems. I think if we had not experienced problems, I would have been too nervous to open. The staff are still getting used to the new layout of the bar and the till, which was to be expected. They broke quite a bit of glass, Martin assured me that has to be, no broken glass means bad luck. The glass washer flooded, the builders should be able to rectify that today, and someone got locked into a toilet as the lock got stuck. Otherwise we had good feedback, especially about the sound system and lighting. We have a chill out room, where people can come away from the music, and as requested, a room where they can come for some special time, which still needs suggestions for improvement. We initially did not want a room like that, but it was quite high on the members wish list. If it does not work out, we have other uses for it.

Some people complained it was out of the way. It is a bit further to go, but then the original club was a good 10 minutes walk from a train station, this is a bit further, but there is a bus. We have circulated our details to some taxi companies. We have already noticed we need to improve our lighting outside on the access drive for people walking to the road, but we need permission from the council if we want lighting higher up, something to do with light pollution.

Kristoffer and his girlfriend have moved in, although the flat needs a bit more work, but they had given notice at their old flat. They are young, they can cope.

Ben went home before me, as he had class this morning. I stayed until closing and then Martin, Kristoffer and I stayed to review the evening. I did not see Ben this morning, as I slept, he left me a nice breakfast. He called me later to make sure I was up, ready for my appointment.

I am meeting with Mr Granat tomorrow, I have not had my details for the course yet, but there is something else I want to talk to him about.