Things to think about prior to re-opening your pub

At the beginning of May I tweeted a thread about things pubs should be thinking about before re-opening.  At the risk of tooting my own horn many have turned out to be right (I'm expecting my call from Boris soon).  Here's that list - if you're on Twitter you can find me @elainewalton.  

• The most obvious: alcohol intake. It lowers social inhibitions, amplifies your inner hugger, you forget personal space etc. Some get argumentative. Some get cocky. There’s always been the “we don’t serve drunks” law but I’m expecting a 2-3 drinks limit. Shots? Nope.

 

• Spacing: tables spaced apart, smaller tables, no-one standing/sitting at the bar, garden tables spread out. I expect a capacity no higher than 50% depending on pub layout because....

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• ..Walking routes: How will staff and customers flow in/out and around the pub? Tables within 2m of kitchen doors? Within 2m of bar? Within 2m of external doors? Access to toilets, cellar, fire exits, garden/outdoor space/smoking area. Space in toilets - urinals guards?
  

• Who’s in your pub? Kids? Can they sit still at a table?

• Machines, pool cues/darts: How are they cleaned in-between customers? SD again (which obvs will impact EVERYTHING).

• On to the kitchen. How many chefs do you need? Any more than 1 behind mainline - is there enough space? How does your menu need to change to accommodate new staffing levels? Do you need to change your kitchen opening hours to accommodate additional cleaning?

• Service times: fewer chefs without a menu adaptation may mean a longer wait for food, slowing table turnover.

• Kitchen layout: what can you do to maximise flow and improve SD? Think about eqpt and crockery positioning.

• Bar service will likely have to move to table service only (prob with order to table apps). Think how this will impact the craic round the bar for wet-led pubs.

• More table service will mean more staff are needed: All I’ll say here is ‘Good Luck JDW’ with both staff loyalty and your cheap prices. (I can’t see how most pubs can avoid increasing prices, tbh).

• Increased hand washing is to be expected - factor this in to your kitchen and bar flows. You’ll need more hand gel stations for both customers and staff. Again, think about routes to and from.

• Karaoke/Discos etc: Don’t even think about hosting these yet.

• Product ranges: Real ales will need to be rationalised to ensure quality and minimise losses. While I think about it.... Staff re-training in cross-contamination. Joe Bloggs who always insists on the same glass for every pint will have to be told no.

• Crazy-cheap drinks deals need to be thought through - don’t encourage people to get too drunk too quickly and then tell them to leave...

• Contact point disinfection in opening times: Along with usual cleaning practices start thinking how you’re going to clean contact points in customer areas like door handles, machines etc, table tops, backs of chairs (always forgotten), toilets..Add this to the staffing costs too

• Glass collection: invest in glass carriers now. Think about how staff are going to handle dirty glasses - what’s going to make them feel safest?

• (Most) Customers are going to want to feel confident that you’re putting their safety first. (Some won’t care and will just want to get p****d; don’t @ me, this is a fact but if you let them it will drive away all other customers).

• General Manager or Duty Manager need to be free to host, observe, and manage social distancing. They need training, confidence, and the gravitas to handle conflict. Do they have that?

What do you think?  Since I posted these tweets pubs have re-opened in Australia utilising perspex screens between tables and contact-tracker sheets (ID of each customer in case there is a case in the pub).  I see more pubs researching 'pods' of various shapes and sizes for their gardens to maximise their covers (and in preparation for the inevitable Summer rain).  I'd be really interested to know what you're doing to prepare your pub for re-opening - let me know in the comments or drop me a line [email protected] if you'd like your pub to be featured here.  

“I can’t wait to go to the pub, get drunk & party when they re-open!” Ain’t gonna happen. It’s going to be a whole new experience - #ukpubs will never be the same until there’s a vaccine. Here beginneth a thread about things #ukpubs should/will be considering before re-opening pic.twitter.com/voFaWzEWTH

— Elaine Walton (@elainewalton) May 10, 2020