Later this evening we are going to throw the doors open to the general public for the first time in two months; but we're not going back to be business as usual, at least not yet.
As with supermarkets and other business operating through the lockdown, we are changing our working practices and putting measures in place to keep us all safe.
We've been busy behind the scenes and now the shop is looking cleaner than it has in an age, but we are going to need your help if we are going to make this work.
Firstly (and it pains me to do this- many of you know my personal feelings about the subject) we will only accept card payments. It's a simple way to limit physical contact and easy to implement.
We must insist on a maximum of two customers in the shop at a time. If the shop is full, please queue outside. I'm sure you are used to this restriction from your supermarket run.
We are locking the beer and wine fridges: If you want a chilled drink we will happily get it for you. This is to reduce customer contact with the door handles, which are one of the few areas of the shop that I would consider likely source of transmission.
I will be installing a screen over the counter (hopefully tonight)
Most importantly, we are going to have to limit our opening hours. This is so we can make sure we have two members of staff on hand at all times to keep on top of things. (it also makes childcare a lot easier)
So from today we will be open
Mon - Thursday 6-9pm
Fri - Saturday 11-9pm
Sunday - Closed
Hopefully, as we settle into this new routine, we will be able to get Miles back from furlough and open up to normal weekday hours.
The webshop will remain for buying stuff online and we are still very happy to deliver locally, however now that the brick and mortar shop is open, collecting your phone/web orders in person might be a better option for many of you.
Good luck everyone.
We are really looking forward to seeing you all