Proceed with caution

The long-awaited announcement that the government was moving England to step four on its unlocking plan was met with mixed reaction this week, with operators concerned about the impact on consumer confidence.

While the removal of social distancing measures and the need for table service-only were welcomed with open arms, the rather large caveat from Boris Johnson that people shouldn’t revert back to normal arguably put a dampener on the confirmation of ‘freedom day’.

Nightclubs and other large event organisers are being “urged” to ask for proof that customers have been doubled jabbed – flying in the face of reports that Covid certification schemes were off the agenda.

And while the legal requirement to wear masks has been scrapped in the main, they will still be needed on public transport on London and their usage advised in crowded spaces, with the onus on businesses and customers as to what they choose to do.

Mark Derry, executive chairman, Brasserie Bar Co said he was not surprised by the measured announcement by the government and believes that its pubs will see a slow transition back to drinking at the bar, as consumer confidence will still be lacking.

Initially customers were really keen to get back to the pubs and would sit in the pouring rain with a pint. “I think that honeymoon is pretty much over and we are getting back to a pool of guests who are doing pretty normal things,” he said.

Derry added that while the lifting of social distancing and the requirement for table service only were likely to give less of a boost to trade for Brasserie Bar Co than for other businesses – because it tends to have big capacity sites anyway – he said larger groups getting together was still something that had been missing from its pubs.

The business also has sites in the City and one at Manchester Airport which have inevitably been hit by lack of footfall and it is therefore keen to see workers returning to the office. “The big thing for us is to get people back to work,” he said.

For Des Gunewardena, chairman and CEO at D&D London, the advice on masks and not a ‘return to normal’ presented mixed messaging and he believes it will hit consumer confidence. “A considered release of most but not all restrictions would have been a more positive confidence inspiring message,” he said.

James Baer, managing director, Amber Taverns also said he felt there would understandably be some hesitancy among customers. “I do think some of the media, scientific community, and politicians’ reaction to freedom day has caused a government row back in messaging terms and this may cause alarm for certain consumers,” he said.

But Patrick Dardis, chief executive, Young’s, was more optimistic about consumer demand. “I think consumers believe pubs and restaurants were always safe places. “I’m sure our customers are looking forward to a normal experience down their local, whether it be ordering at the bar, vertical drinking with friends or being served at a table,” he said.

Clive Chesser, chief executive, Punch Pubs & Co welcomed the move to step four on the roadmap and said it had been overwhelmed by the support its communities had shown since its pubs reopened in April this year.

“It is clear that the vast majority of people are longing for a return to normality, but our first priority remains the safety of our guests and teams. We believe that, with good working practices, the two are not mutually exclusive and can be achieved in tandem,” he said.

Masks and measures

Post 19 July, Derry thinks quite a lot of the measures, such as a Perspex screens, will stay in place, “because they don’t have a massively material impact”. “You may lose a few covers here and there but in the bigger scheme of things if it gives people comfort then I think a lot of people will be inclined to leave them in place.”

Brasserie Bar Co will be asking its employees to continue to wear masks but will be leaving it up to the customer as to whether they will wear them. It will also encourage people in bars to sit down and will do more table service for drinks.

Dardis said it was right that the government allow businesses to decide for themselves their approach to masks. It has a very clear policy in place – there is no requirement for customers or staff to wear them. “It is entirely up to them whether to or not. We will support whatever they decide to do,” he explained.

David Fox, co-founder of Manchester-based pan-Asian restaurant business Tampopo said he was confident that its restaurants were a much safer space than other social environments such as people’s homes. “Good ventilation, regular cleaning and good personal hygiene practices are examples of why this is the case,” he said.

Tampopo will keep slightly smaller teams on site and insist that staff keep socially distanced while on their breaks. “We will also ask FOH teams to keep one metre-plus from customers where they can – this will be easier without face coverings.”

Gunewardena said D&D had not come to a decision on whether it will require its staff to wear masks yet, but they will let customers “do what they wish”. While Chesser said that it required government guidance for further clarity. “It is likely that our approach will be to work with our publicans at a local level, leaving the choice to every individual.”