!BACK IN BUSINESS!

On 16 March 2020, UK Government appealed for people to avoid social places including pubs, clubs and restaurants, then, on 20 March, requested their closure from that evening due to the spread of Covid-19.

On 25 March, off-licences were added to the list of essential businesses allowed to stay open, also enabling pubs and brewery taprooms with licences to sell beer for home consumption to offer takeaway sales and home deliveries.

The hospitality industry has been facing one of the “most significant challenges” ever. Some hotels were used to provide NHS patient accommodation and free up space for covid-19 cases and to house homeless people, bars and restaurants have proudly supported with an immense effort and provide food and accommodation for NHS and other key workers.

An unexpected shock for our economy and especially for the whole hospitality industry!

But this wasn’t enough to make us stop there.

“The world needs huge positive energy to fight against the negative forces”

Business and brand owners, bartenders, ambassadors and event companies have quickly come out with different solutions and new ways of keeping busy and keeping the hospitality going such as;

DIY cocktail boxes

Take away food and drinks

Home deliveries

Online cocktail competitions

Webinars between the whole world

So, no one has really stopped us making what we really love and during this period a lot of chefs and mixologists have planned a new strategy for the comeback.

Although it is uncertain in which shape these new guidelines will form in this challenging time, it is important to remain active and positive.  Establishing the first key steps of social distancing, hygiene and capacity measures is a focus for all businesses in our industry.

UK – 23^rd June 2020…

“Mr Speaker….” so, the announcement we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived!!!

More than 100 days later, the UK hospitality is finally scheduled to reopen on July 4^th 2020, however you will have to observe several restrictions before and while enjoying your first sit down meal or drink in a venue after months. Hospitality industry is reacting with excitement but nervousness at the same time at the news that pubs, bars and restaurants will be permitted to open for dine-in service again soon.

While venues will be able to welcome seated guests for the first time since the beginning of lockdown, guidelines will see only members of the same household allowed to sit together and guests will be required to give their names and contact details for use in the NHS Test & Trace programme on arrival. Many consumers would be more comfortable to return to venues if the right precautions are implemented, from wearing protective equipment, improving the toilette facilities, to avoiding the use of cash. Something that is encouraging people to avoid overcrowding the bars, is the fact that they are allowed to take away drinks even if the venues don’t have an off-license.

The Prime Minister mentioned that:

• Social distancing – in areas where people are not able to socially distance by two-metres, they will be asked to stay “one-metre plus” away from one another
• Pub layout – apart from table distancing, screens will be erected at bars to protect staff as well as for limiting the number of people in the venue
• Record of your visit – bars and restaurants will have to keep a record of everyone who visits and keep the details on file for four weeks and use them to contact people if one of the patrons later is hit with coronavirus
• PPE – bar staff will have to wear masks and gloves at all times while working
• Advance booking – recommended especially during the first few weeks of the reopening
• Ordering – many venues will have an ordering app to reduce the queuing and table service is advised
• Entering and leaving – a one-way system of sorts will be introduced with customers entering via one door and having to leave via another

For full guidelines click here

STAFF COME FIRST

This lockdown has had a big impact on the hospitality staff and although there was a lot of support and a lot to do during the past 3+ months, it is now time to start to reintegrate into the “new normal”.

There are a lot of factors to look at to protect the staff and to ensure a safe place of work; the hygiene and H&S regulations will have to be looked at in detail. New rules in place will most likely be updated as the weeks pass. The staff numbers will be reviewed as no one can be sure of how much trade there will be. Owners understand employee rights and are looking into offering fair pay for workers as well as providing reassurance and motivation for returning staff.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME OBSTACLES TO CROSS BUT WITH PATIENCE EFFORT, AND HOPE WE WILL BE STRONGER THAN EVER BECAUSE

-UNITY IS STRENGHT-