Here at Blind Tiger Inns, we have been working tirelessly to make our venues Covid-19 Secure and create a safe but friendly and relaxed environment. We have missed our customers immensely and are very excited to open our doors again on Monday 13th July.
As expected, there will be some changes but these are good changes, designed to keep you safe in line with Government guidance but also happy in your local pub.
Distancing
One of the key protection measures from Covid-19 is distancing at a safe 1 metre distance. Where practical, we have implemented one-way systems to reduce customer contact and maintain distancing. We have also changed our furniture layout where possible and provided additional seating to utilise areas previously used for live entertainment. Vertical drinking will only be allowed externally and the outdoor areas will be checked regularly to ensure everyone is adhering to the distancing rules.
Our team will also be safely distancing from customers and other team members where possible. The bar acts as a natural barrier, however PPE will be available for those team members who would prefer to wear it.
Our Team
We have invested in training with our teams to ensure they all understand our new way of working. Training on Covid cleaning standards along with a refresher training of standard pub operations has been completed and our managers have all completed online training around reopening following lockdown.
Team members will be required to sign a fitness to work declaration at the start of each shift and will wash their hands before, after and every 30 minutes during their shift. Where operationally possible, we will also allocate our team members the same shifts and put them on stations to avoid the need to pass other team members if possible.
Hygiene
Another key protection measure from Covid-19 is hygiene and ensuring that hands are washed regularly. As part of our Covid-19 Secure opening plan and to ensure the best hygiene possible, the following will be adhered to:
- An enhanced cleaning schedule with touch points being wiped down more frequently in line with customer usage
- Hand sanitisation stations on entry and exit with signage on best hand hygiene practice
- Removal of all loose paper advertising such as menus and beer mats
- Chip and pin terminals to be sprayed after each customer transaction if practical
- Opening windows and doors where it is safe to do so to encourage circulation
Track and Trace
As part of the NHS Track and Trace initiatives to combat Covid-19, we are asking customers to help us with tracking them when they are in our venue. This will be done digitally and is very simple. The customer will log onto our guest Wi-Fi and an automatic screen will pop up with the Track and Trace form.
The form collects name, email and phone number and a confirmation email with an ID is sent to the customer for verification. Data is only stored for 21 days and the customer will be contacted if a case is reported in one of our venues.
Our Customers
To make this work, we also need help from you, our customers. Where possible we would like customers to use Contactless payment and our cashback services will be withdrawn for now. Customers will be encouraged not to approach the bar in groups and order one round of drinks for the table. This may not be such a bad thing if you’ve been waiting for years for that one friend to get a round in!
Playing on the fruit machines, pool and dart boards are all still permitted but hands need to be sanitised before and after use as well as on entry and exit to the premises. Walk-ins will still be allowed but in some of our venues, bookings will be available to maintain a safer capacity.
Keep an eye out for all the new signage which demonstrates how to act in different areas of the pub and ask a member of the team if you are ever unsure about anything. This is an unprecedented time for all of us, so please refrain from going on social media to complain if you are unhappy and instead speak to a Manager so this can be resolved quickly.
Finally, we promise to keep you safe but to also create a fun and happy environment at the same time. We have missed you so much and cannot wait to welcome you back.
See you in July!
