The Bear Inn

Covid-19 – Policy Statement

The health and safety of our customers and staff is of the highest importance to us.  We have spent the last few months considering how we can return to work and offer our services in a way that poses the lowest risk possible.

We have fully read and digested the Guidance issued by the government on how to operate as safely as possible and have adapted our operating systems in-line with this.

We have carried out a specific Covid-19 Risk Assessment to ensure that we limit the risk of transmission to the lowest possible and have shared this with our staff – a copy is available onsite if you would like to see for yourself.

We have carried out intensive online training on how to be Covid-secure and further training on disease transmission so that we understand this to the fullest extent and can act further on that information.

We have carried out staff training to all members of staff and have sent managers on an intensive disease transmission course so that they have in-depth knowledge of the measures we can take to reduce risk.

We have carried out health assessments on all staff returning to work and have listened to any concerns they may have and adapted as best we can to relieve these concerns.

We have looked at shift patterns for staff to try and limit contact groups where possible.

We have invested in Perspex screens for both our inside and outside bars.

We have also invested in face visors to further decrease the risk to staff while they work should they wish to use them. We have disposable gloves available for certain tasks that have been deemed to need them.

We have removed all items such as condiments, menus & self-service cutlery in order to fully reduce items that could pose a risk of transmission. These items are instead delivered at the same time as the food in single-use format where possible.

We have introduced hand sanitising stations around the pub and garden with signage reminding us of the importance of hand hygiene. We also have posters showing correct hand-washing technique next to all hand-wash sinks.

We have posters around the premises reminding customers of the importance of social distancing.

We are considering having an app that customers can use to both order and pay for items.

We have opted to encourage the use of contactless payment as our preferred method.

Inside
we are operating a table service system and have increased our staff levels to accommodate this.  We have also changed much of our furniture to make it versatile enough to be able to accommodate people in adherence to the maximum group guidance from the Government.  Our staff are fully trained on how to manage guests in adherence 

Outside
We have installed an outside bar with signage to ask people not to congregate at the bar area – and have put in place a method where customers order at the ‘Ordering Point’ then move to the ‘Collection Point’ to reduce any queuing.

We have reviewed all our cleaning processes throughout the building and garden and have created a targeted cleaning plan to ensure that all touch points and high traffic areas are cleaned with appropriate materials on a regular basis by designated team members.  We have also created cleaning logs for the toilets which are visible to customers as evidence of the frequency of cleaning and sanitising.

We have also reviewed the cleaning of the back of house areas and especially the kitchen.

We have put up signage asking customers not to return their own glasses to the bar – these will instead be collected by staff who have been trained in the safest way to do this.

We have put in place signed guidance on how to use the toilets at the pub and how to best adhere to social distancing while queuing. 

We are offering our entire menu as either Eat-In or Takeaway to be able to continue to serve those who may not be able or want to visit us in-house just yet. 

We have increased our food service times so that we now serve food all day meaning customers can stagger their visits and continue to have access to all our services at any time of day.

We have a fantastic and committed team of people who work with us and we are very eager to make your visit enjoyable and safe.

If you have any questions on how we operate or how we can accommodate you then please don’t hesitate to get in touch…

We have also made a very simple guide for customers so you can see how your visit will work before you walk through the door.

Best wishes,

Jon, Millie, Amanda & the rest of The Bear Team x