Lockdown lifting to support the economy

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has further relaxed lockdown rules.

In an speech to the House of Commons, Johnson said that now is the time to reduce the “toughest restrictions in peacetime history”.

As a result of a downgrading of the threat, the PM confirmed the rules will change from 4 July. The first change is a reduction in social distancing. The current two metre rule is still suggested, however where this it not feasible it is reduced to one metre.

This news was accompanied by an announcement that the hospitality and leisure businesses on the whole will be able to reopen, including hotels, camp sites, restaurants and bars.

Johnson issued several caveats, noting that all internal hospitality will need to follow certain measures including being limited to table service. Venues will also be required to collect contact details of patrons.

He cautioned that while everyone should take advantage of these new freedoms, they should do so sensibly and carefully.

Among the Yorkshire venues looking forward to opening again on July 4 is The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes, in Leeds.

Its bar will be covered with plastic screening and hand sanitiser units will be dotted all around the venue and on the front door.

All tables at the sports bar will be adorned with QR codes, allowing guests to scan the code on their phone to instantly bring up the menus. All food and beverages can then be ordered and paid for using a smartphone, which will be delivered to the table.

The team delivering drinks and collecting glasses will be in full PPE, as will the bar and kitchen team.

Brotherhood director, Seema Dhiman, said: “We’re really proud of the additional safety measures we’ve put in place to protect our customers and employees, whilst also maintaining the fun and lively atmosphere we’ve become famous for.’’

Not all restaurants are looking to launch on the 4th July, renowned restaurant, HOME announcing plans to reopen on July 31st.

It is already taking online bookings via its website. Liz Cottam, HOME Chef Patron, commented on her approach to lockdown: “I started to work on plans for using lockdown strategically, to get better and come back so much stronger than if we had stayed open. I locked myself in the kitchen and started to work on finishing some dishes we had in production and on many more news ones.

“The team and I have a shared vision for our food and have been working so closely over the last year together that picking up the baton alone was very strange.”

When Home relaunches it will open with its “most experimental menu to date, with spontaneously selected dishes which allow for changes to happen weekly.”

In order to meet guidelines however, the restaurant will adapt service times to reduce the amount of people in the building at one time, with earlier time slots and a couple of later time slots added.

It has also restructured the experience to reduce the number of staff required to serve each table and are in the process of creating some clever and beautiful solutions to clean tables and deliver cutlery.

Also reacting to the Government announcement, Andy Barnsdale, DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa general manager, said: “This is fantastic news for Harrogate’s hotel industry.

“The guessing game is over and it means we can now plan ahead properly for reopening fully to guests from July 4.

“For the last few weeks, we have been busy planning our ‘Majestic Weekends’, which will see us using our extensive terrace and lawns to host alfresco dining options, including cream teas and picnics.

“Today’s news means we can now bring back into play Frederick’s Piano Lounge & Terrace and Carters Champagne Bar and Grill, which have already been prepared ahead in advanced, with tables being socially distanced.

“Team members  we had to furlough are now beginning to return, which is also very good news indeed.

“Sadly, The Harrogate Spa will remain closed, but we hope this won’t be for too much longer.”