Keeping everyone safe amidst the Coronavirus pandemic

We just wanted to let you know about a few changes we’ve made, which we hope you’ll find reassuring in these times, so here’s a little summary.

Social distancing

Much as most of us would love a hug or a high five, please respect personal space by maintaining a social distance of 2m where possible. If you cannot, please face away from people as they are passing.

We will be asking customers to wait at the front door for a team member to take you to your table, and to sanitise your hands on the way into (and out of) the pub. This is so we can take the time to explain how things will work from now on and to also keep an eye on the number of people we have in the pub at any one time. For this reason we’re encouraging bookings. Please respect those leaving the building while you are waiting, there is an alternative exit but this may not be suitable for all.

Indoor gatherings should be in groups of up to two households (including support bubbles). Outdoor gatherings of 6 people or less can be from any number of households. If your outdoor gathering is of 7 people or more then all should be from no more than two households (or support bubbles). Please respect these numbers. We have not put them in place to be difficult, we are following the guidelines set.

At busy times, those without prior bookings may be asked to queue outside away from the building and as much as we’ll try our best to get everyone a table, it may not always be possible, in order to keep everyone safe. Please call ahead on 01756 752525 and we will try our best to accommodate.

Cleaning (tables and rooms)

We want to reassure you that there’s regular cleaning going on in the pub; inside and out. All of our team will be washing their hands every twenty minutes and sanitising ‘touch points’ every half an hour to an hour. The tables and chairs will be cleaned after each customer. At every step, we’ll be following the highest of cleaning standards throughout the pub, the kitchen and our bedrooms.

Our rooms will be deep cleaned after every guest. For this reason it may mean that your room is not quite ready for check in time of 3pm so we have asked that people, where possible, move this to 4pm. Please be patient with us. We would rather be thorough than speedy. Keys will be thoroughly sanitised between guests. If you do not wish to have your room serviced please let us know at check in. PPE will be available for all room cleans.

Service at table

We’ll do our upmost to keep a safe distance where possible when taking orders and serving your table. There is PPE available to our staff that wish to wear it.

You’ll see changes to the way we’re setting the tables. To reduce the ‘contact’ with cutlery and to cut the risk of airborne contamination, we’re placing the knives, forks, and napkins on your table once you have ordered. All condiments; salt, pepper, vinegar and sauces will be served in packets and sachets and we may ask for your help to pass things along so that we are not reaching over you.

At peak times tables may be limited to a maximum stay of two hours

How to order

We will try to take all inside orders at the tables( staff numbers allowing). If you are asked to order at the bar it will be one person from each table and we ask that this is done in a sensible and orderly fashion, respecting social distancing at all times. Outside we will ask for one person from each group to come in, sign in, order and pay before returning outside. This will reduce the number of people moving through the site at any one time. There will be no one sat at the bar for the time being. Please be patient with us while we adapt to the new way of working. Outside tables will be asked to “pay as you go” by cash or by card.

Space between tables

We want to reassure you that care and consideration has gone into spacing the distance between the tables and positioning of the chairs. We ask that you respect this and do not move the furniture.

Menus

Menus at The Devonshire will be sanitised between every guest as they are laminated. We do have disposable paper copies if you would prefer.

Bar service

Even though life usually revolves around the bar, please resist the temptation to stand at it and drink. You may order here but will need to return to your seats as soon as possible remembering to respect the distance between you and the people around you. Where possible we’ll look after you at the table.

Payments and Tips

We kindly ask you to use contactless wherever possible however we know that some people prefer cash. The card machine will be sanitised between every use for the protection of you and our staff. If you would like to leave a tip it can be either added to the card tranasction or as cash.

Little touches

The little touches (that are often touched a lot) – may not be quite as prevalent just now. Things like the books, board games, dog biscuits, leaflets, cushions and runners in the rooms – we’ve popped them away for the time being, we hope you understand.

Toilets

Toilets will be regularly cleaned and numbers visiting them at any one time will be restricted to two at a time. Please check before entry and respect the social distancing.

Children and dogs

Much as they like to, please don’t let them wander. Children must remain seated at your table and dogs must be kept on a lead.

Government Track and Trace Scheme

We will ask for contact details from a member of each party as per the Government advice to collect information to ‘track and trace’ if needed. The sign in will be digital via ipad and will be securely kept for 21 days. We also have a QR code for you to use as an alternative – open the camera on your phone and hold over the code. This will direct you to a website to fill in your details to register your visit.

Garden etiquette

Our outside tables are not available to book, so you may need to wait for one at busy times. Ordering for outside will require one member of the group to go inside and order at the bar with your table number. You can order all your food and drink and pay as you go. Nice and simple.

We also respectfully ask that you don’t move tables around, they have been positioned with thought.

If you are feeling at all unwell, please save your visit for another day. If you have a room booked please contact us ASAP and we will try our best to move your booking.

 

Please be patient with us while we adjust to the new way of working, we are following the guidelines set out by the government and these are continually being updated. Abuse or aggression directed towards our staff will not be tolerated. You will be refused service and asked to leave.

We hope you find all these changes reassuring and feel free to chat anything through with any of our team when you visit.

If you are awaiting the results of a Covid test please do not visit.
It does not matter whether you are feeling ill or well, please reschedule.