The restaurants you can visit in Peterborough from July 4

The hard-hit hospitality industry - closed since mid March - can relaunch itself from July 4, with social distancing reduced to one metre and a number of other Covid-compliant conditions.

The move was welcomed by Adebola Adeshina, chef patron at THE CHUBBY CASTOR fine dining restaurant in Castor, which will be taking bookings from tomorrow ahead of a July 8 relaunch.

“I think what has been announced is fair enough,” said Ade, who plans to open the newly-awarded 2AA Rosette restaurant from Wednesday to Sunday to begin with. “People will have to use a bit of common sense - customers and ourselves,” he said.

“Opening on July 8th gives us enough time to clean and prep and get everything ready. We have a table plan based on around 1.5metres social distancing in the restaurant but we will be encouraging customers to sit outside where we have plenty of space.

“We will spend more time talking to people when they book, too, so they know what is expected and what they can expect. The safety of staff and customers is really important.”

Ade said the restaurant will abide by the AA’s Covid Confidence scheme which includes a no hand shaking policy.

Another fine dining favourite, THE CHERRY HOUSE at Werrington will also reopen on July 8.

In Hampton Vale, Ram Krishna Bashyal at the GURKHA LOUNGE was still coming to terms with the announcement and further clarification.

“Is it one metre between tables, or chairs or diners,” he said. “We have been doing takeaways for a few weeks now, so the kitchen is up and running, so we will be opening seven days a week from July 4 - and we have had lots of bookings already.

“But because the restaurant is currently set up for the takeaway business I still need to work out how many tables I will be able to accommodate, it looks like 10 to 12.”

He added that the restaurant would operate two sittings, 5pm to 7.45pm and 8pm to 10.30pm to avoid unnecessary contact between customers leaving and arriving.

The HOUSE OF FEASTS at Eye Green will be back up and running on July 4, with chef patron Damian Wawrzyniak concentrating on his outdoor space for diners .

He will relaunch on the Saturday with beer and hog roast in the garden from 1pm until late.

In the city centre, TURTLE BAY, in St John’s Square, will reopen on July 4. As will TAVAN, at the Pearl Hotel on Lincoln Road, which will continue its takeaway service and reopen with ample seating inside and out.

July 4 will also see the doors reopen at GURKHA DURBAAR on Broadway, with the online bookings open now; THE PIZZA HOUSE on Cowgate - currently serving takeaways, from 12noon; THE PAPER MILLS at Wansford; MATTONI at both Hampton and Eye, with bookings being taken for two-hour slots, 5pm-7pm and 7pm-9pm; and the PIZZA PARLOUR AND MUSIC CAFE in Cowgate.

The BLUE BELL at Glinton will reopen on July 10 with restricted hours. Will Frankgate said he planned to close Sunday evenings, and all day Monday and Tuesday to begin with.

“It’s great news to have the opening date and distance finalised,” said Will. “We’re just waiting to hear the official guidelines required to operate. We really need the info released, so we can finalise our plans to reopen safely.”

Chris Newman will also be reopening HOMME NOUVEAU at Whittlesey on July 10.

““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.”

John McGinn at the DOG IN A DOUBLET, between Peterborough and Whittlesey, also has plenty of space outside and said he is delighted to be reopening on July 4.

He said: “For us and most people its 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.”

The LIGHTBOX Cafe, on Bridge Street, has been operating a takeaway service for some weeks but will be operating back to normal as of July 4.

“Following the announcement today we can’t wait to welcome you all back to eat and drink in from the 4th July,” it posted on facebook. “We will have socially distanced tables on both the ground and freshly spruced up lower ground floor. We are waiting on confirmation of if tables will need to be booked in advance and will share any booking process needed with you soon.”

Nearby, David Beever, who owns SUNDAYS roast dinner restaurant and tea rooms in the Cathedral precincts, will welcome diners back on July 10, initially for weekends only.

“We have started work painting etc and hopefully all the required perspex sheets will be here in time. Pretty confident in the system we’ve planned out ...like a drive through but for people.”

And the CHALKBOARD bistro and Tea Rooms on the Embankment, which has been serving takeaway afternoon tea and drinks throughout June will open its door on july 4.

Andy Jones said he would be changing the menus to fit in with new opening guidelines and serving breakfast as well as meals in the evenings.

Meanwhile JD Wetherspoon has revealed its pubs - including the Draper’s Arms and College Arms in Peterborough city centre - will open from July 4.