Peterborough restaurants gear up for reopening ahead of PM’s covid-19 statement

Most are still waiting to see what the PM has to say - with the relaxation of social distancing measures seen as key to the viability of restaurants and pubs post-lockdown.

Closed since March, July 4 - dubbed Super Saturday - has long been seen as the date when customers could be given the all-clear to return and Chris Newman, chef patron at Homme Nouveau, in Whittlesey, announced: “If this is the case then by the end of the Sunday, I hope to finalise plans and guidance with my team and confirm our official opening date and then we will allow customers to make bookings.

“As it stands we are looking to re open on Friday, july 10, at 6pm and then Saturday/Sunday will be usual hours.”

Chris, who only opened the restaurant in September and has spent lockdown selling takeaway meals with his staff furloughed, said he would take the time between July 4 and 10 to enable a full deep clean and restock the restaurant and kitchen, as well as prepping everything up from scratch.

“He added: “It will be a different way of dining in certain ways but my team and I really can’t wait to see you all and i certainly hope we can ease any worries about dining out. It will take us a couple of shifts to get back into a rhythm, but we are all buzzing to see how busy we might be. We may also have 1 or 2 new members of the team also to welcome you!”

Chef patron Damian Wawrzyniak, at the House of Feasts, Eye Green, has already opened his reservations - with bookings being taken from July 4. The restaurant capacity has been reduced to just 16 covers, bookable in time slots, though the large garden can accommodate many more.

He has also set up a bakery and delicatessen at the restaurant during lockdown.

“We will focus on our garden dining and heavily reduced restaurant service of beakfast, brunch and lunch, plus the delicatessen and takeaway will remain operative without any changes. We will also change our experience to the pub / garden / dli way with additional numbers of real ales, large beer garden and classic dishes, cooked slow but served fast.

“However, we have decided to open only for day trade until end of the year, 8am - 5pm, and once the situation is relaxed we will re-open for dinner hopefully in 2021.”

A cautious Will Frankgate at The Blue Bell pub/restaurant in Glinton said: “We’re hoping to open from Friday 10th July with restricted opening hours in place. We will also he fully closed on Sunday evenings from 6pm and all day Monday and Tuesday to start with upon re-opening. We’ll be adhering to government guidelines, once we’ve been advised further on these.”

And John McGinn, at The Dog in a Doublet pub/restaurant with rooms added: “For us and most people it’s all about the outside space.

“I’ve got a lot of areas that I am upgrading and have some amazing surprises coming up, including a first floor mezzanine at the front and a street food alley to the side. Its going to be tough for the little indies like us financially and I just hope that the customers remember who has been supporting the communities when the big boys open again.

“Food wise its outdoor cooking for us to help with distancing and one way systems with everything guided by apps.”

Meanwhile, Dan Coshan, general manager at the Tap and Kitchen, on Oundle Wharf, took to facebook to reveal: “We reopen from Saturday 4th July. We are open for lunch and dinner. We are taking bookings, which are essential.

“Booking lines open from 10-30am this Wednesday then Monday to Friday until we open, when they will be open alongside operating hours. No bookings taken without a contact mobile number.

“Inevitably we are still waiting for exactly what we have to do from the country’s “leader” and some things may be subject to change. “

The Queen’s Head at Nassington tweeted today: “Hoping for positive news @BorisJohnson today so we can sort plans for reopening the Queens Head. Outside the patio & garden furniture has been jet washed, insider the beer has been ordered, & the till dusted off.

“Come on Boris give us a date!”

New measures have been put in place at city centre pubs The Draper’s Arms and The College Arms, with JD Wetherspoon recently outlining how it would reopen its pubs.

The pubs will have screens at the till point and there will also be screens to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate the tables to the social distancing requirement.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.

Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff from a slightly reduced menu.