These past few months have been challenging for everyone, and we hope that you are all safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Luton BID has compiled some important information to assist businesses in the hospitality sector with reopening (a second e-newsletter with information for hairdressers and barbershops will follow separately).
Guidance for reopening the hospitality sector
Hospitality businesses will be required to take a range of measures to keep everyone safe, such as completing a site risk assessment before reopening - at Luton BID we understand that this may be a daunting task.

We hope that bringing the information below into one place, will make Government guidelines clearer - helping you to prepare your premises for the safety of your staff and customers once you are allowed to reopen.
Restaurants, pubs and bars permitted to open from 4 July
Restaurants, pubs and bars will be permitted to reopen for services that relate to preparation or a service setting where food and drinks are sold for consumption at venues or for takeaway or delivery only from 4 July.

The Government has released official guidance for keeping workers and customers safe during COVID-19 in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services. You can download the full PDF below.

Please note: The guidance does not apply to food preparation or food service in clinical or healthcare settings.
What does your business need to consider? Safety of staff and clients
Clearly, when working in bars, pubs or restaurants, it often may not be possible to maintain social distancing guidelines.

Hospitality businesses must consider the following to keep both clients and staff safe:
  • Review venue capacity to ensure customers can reasonably follow social distancing
  • Venues should only allow indoor gatherings in groups of up to two households (including support bubbles)
  • Increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning
  • Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
  • Reviewing menu offering
  • Implementing booking-only policy
What other steps do I need to consider for my business premises?
  • Review your licenses such as license for opening hours, serving alcohol timings, provision of regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment 
  • Consider providing takeaway option
  • Think about providing a reduced menu only, to avoid delays in food preparation
  • Use ordering apps – Please download a list of some of the available apps HERE
  • Encourage contactless payments only
  • Use booking system to capture customer details and retain for 21 days
  • Consider having a security member and a host on door, to help manage guests
  • Be clear that customers cannot seek shelter indoors unless social distancing can be maintained in the event of adverse weather conditions
  • If you have more than one door, consider having one for entering the building and one for exiting
  • Encourage customers to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the venue and as they return from toilet facilities 
  • Provide table service only and minimising self-service of food
  • Reduce kitchen access to as few people as possible
  • Consider not laying tables until customers are seated
  • Use disposable menus (one use menus) 
  • Provide only disposable condiments or cleaning non-disposable condiment containers after each use
  • Ensure regular cleaning of toilets
  • Provide sufficient space for equipment to be wiped down after every use
  • Reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others
  • Provide PPE for staff where necessary
  • Reduce external people entering kitchen/premises for deliveries.
  • Designate an area for dropping off and collection of deliveries from suppliers 

Please note, that businesses MUST NOT:
  • At this time, permit live performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience
  • Permit gatherings in groups of more than 30 people

This is not an exhaustive list of factors, but will be helpful in getting you started on reopening your business safely. Businesses must also have a copy of their COVID secure certificate on display at all times.
COVID-19 Recovery Starter Packs For Levy Paying Businesses
Luton BID has put together a COVID-19 recovery starter pack for levy-paying businesses. Please note, some of these items may need to be supplied separately due to limited supplies and delivery timescales.
  • 3 x social distancing floor graphics
  • 3 x washable face coverings
  • 1 x social distancing window vinyl
  • 1 x hand-washing poster
  • 1 x business compliance poster
  • 1 x social distancing poster
  • 1 x roll of social distancing tape

Click the link below to request a pack - please include your business name, business address, contact name and telephone number.
Business Support Guide

Our comprehensive coronavirus Business Support Guide has been updated to reflect the new phase of guidance as announced by the Government.

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Luton BID is project managed by Partnerships for Better Business Ltd


Luton BID 01582 510657   info@lutonbid.org
www.lutonbid.org

Luton BID is project managed by Partnerships for Better Business Ltd (pfbb UK)