Finding ways to maintain social distancing in the hospitality industry is a challenge facing business owners across the country and indeed across the world. As restaurants and bars start to think about what reopening might look like and plan for the future, they are considering how social distancing measures will change the way they operate.
With talk of reduced capacity, minimum distances between tables, contactless ordering and face masks for staff, it is true that things will be different but that doesn’t mean to say that it isn’t possible to both implement the new rules and get customers through the doors and resume trading.
It is still difficult to know exactly what will be required within the government guidelines but there are some simple steps that can be taken as you start to plan for trading again under the new social distancing guidance expected from the government;
1. Increase Outdoor Capacity
With the likeness of reduced capacity forming part of the new guidelines, creating additional capacity outdoors could mean more customers at your venue. Offering outdoor dining and seating in a garden or patio helps to ensure you can maintain the recommended social distance between customers. With being outside thought to have less risk, it’s possible that outdoor areas could reopen before indoors so make sure you have a system in pace for table service in your outdoor area. This will help to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing.
2. Reconfigure your furniture layout
Be clever with your table spacing. More space required between tables is an inevitable requirement of the new guidelines so consider your current layout and think about how this can be achieved. Smaller tables can help to increase the distance and keep customers further apart.
When positioning your tables think about staff and customer movement around the bar or restaurant as well. Clear walkways and room for staff to approach tables and to avoid bottlenecks will need to be planned and implemented.
3. Take Table Bookings
Taking table bookings will help to reduce potential queues and minimise proximity and contact between customers and staff so have a system in place for customers to book in advance so that they can be seated quickly and efficiently on arrival and ensure you don’t exceed recommended capacity.
4. Minimise Contact
Taking orders via an app, contactless card payments and scheduling shift patterns so that staff are working within the same teams every shift are all steps that can be taken to minimise contact. Having an app or mobile friendly version of your menu avoids the need for traditional menus to be circulating between customers so that they can view it on their own phones or tablets instead. If you don’t already, consider getting set up to accept contactless card payments or apple pay so that exchanging of cards and cash is reduced.
5. Ramp up your cleaning schedule
Although the government hasn’t yet issued the formal guidance, its possible that staff may be required to wear masks or gloves when serving customers so its worth preparing for if this is the case. Set up additional cleaning stations stocked with essential antibacterial products and cleaning equipment so that tables, chairs and surrounding areas can be sanitised efficiently in between customers. Set up sanitising locations with hand sanitiser and gloves around your bar or restaurant, as well as at entrances.
At this point it is still uncertain exactly what will be required of businesses so these are just suggestions that might help you to adapt to the new guidelines and its certainly worth starting to prepare for the reopening of your restaurant or bar.
If you are looking for new furniture to help assist with reopening under the governments social distancing guidelines, at Trent Furniture we have a huge range of tables and chairs in stock for fast delivery. If you would like to speak to us about an order please call the sales team on 0116 286 4911.