Pubs, restaurants and businesses adapting to new lockdown in Sleaford area

Hospitality businesses around Sleaford are gearing up to life under lockdown again by either closing for the coming month or finding ways to adapt and offer innovative takeaway services.
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Ryan and Hollie Blankley. EMN-200711-171157001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Ryan and Hollie Blankley. EMN-200711-171157001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Ryan and Hollie Blankley. EMN-200711-171157001

Over the last Covid lockdown, the government and local authorities made it quick and easy for restaurants and cafes to switch their way of operating to collection and delivery services while some businesses such as Urban Angels hairdressing salon in Navenby converted to selling ice creams to fit within the rules.

Last time Ryan and Hollie Blankley opted to shut down their Watergate Yard bar and restaurant in Sleaford.

This time they are trialling a tasty takeaway service on Thursday to Sunday, selling much of their menu - plus premium pulled pints in branded, coffee shop-style cartons and expertly prepared cocktails delivered in jam jars and it is already creating a buzz on social media locally.

Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171045001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171045001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171045001

Hollie said: “We are going to trial it for a while and see what it is like. We have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by doing it. I think it lockdown will be longer than four weeks and we will have to keep playing it by ear.”

Although many of their 26-plus bar staff will be furloughed, the kitchen staff have agreed to stay on and come up with the menu, serving for collection or delivery most of their main menu of burgers, quesadillas, wood fired pizzas and salads, brunch and their signature Sunday lunches, apart from a few they felt would not travel well.

Hollie said: “It’s tricky as it’s not our business model but we have to diversify. I don’t think there will be any support from the government or council this time so we will give it a shot and it has been successful in other town and cities.

“Everyone knows and enjoys what we do and it is now the chance to take a piece of it home with you.

Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171147001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171147001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Owen Blankley with takeaway beers. EMN-200711-171147001

“You can buy a bottle of beer from the supermarket but it’s not the same as a premium pulled pint, as we have cellar cooling and the products are optimum - and now you can enjoy it at home.

“It is the same with the cocktails as customers might not want to spend on buying a whole bottle of spirit when they can just get a couple of servings.”

They have been busy adapting the website to include an online ordering service where people can collect from the waiting area, receive their order at the kerbside or have it delivered by a relatively new enterprise that has been set up locally called Food Chief which can deliver your fast food meals from local takeaways. They have negotiated a mutual beneficial agreement where the service will deliver within 10 miles for a flat £3.50 fee. People can book inline or phone up.

Hollie said: “The excitement is encouraging. We have still been getting new customers from recommendations or Facebook, so we can still reach further.”

Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Sara Paton making pizzas EMN-200711-171137001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Sara Paton making pizzas EMN-200711-171137001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. Watergate Yard doing takeaway service. Sara Paton making pizzas EMN-200711-171137001

She said the first part of the week was steady trade but Wednesday night was a very busy shift: “People wanted to see their friends indoors and enjoy our food here for the last time for a while,” she said.

“It is our hospitality and great, super-friendly staff that makes the difference.”

She said the last few weeks had gone well, with the sophisticatedly-lit new canopy across the yard outside adding a “wow factor”. “It keeps everybody dry and without it the business would have struggled,” Hollie said

Ryan and Hollie wanted to say a very big thank you to their staff, for working so hard since July, and to customers, for choosing to support them.

Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171208001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171208001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171208001

“Please stay at home, stay safe, and we’ll hopefully see you at Christmas,” she said.

Other businesses are also giving it a go. Tiamo Italian restaurant in the Market Place stayed closed during lockdown but benefited hugely from the opened up outdoor dining area over the summer.

Owner Sam Pavlou said they were having a go at serving up their menu to takeaway too.

She said on the restaurant’s social media feed: “Well it’s definitely scary times ahead of us for the next few weeks.

“Tiamo Italian are doing a delivery service, like we have the last couple of weeks - only today is very different to all of the other days.

“Today the restaurant can no longer subsidise the takeaway. Today the takeaway has to pay the rent. Today the takeaway has to pay the wages. Today the takeaway has to pay the suppliers.”

Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171218001Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171218001
Sleaford during the second national lockdown. EMN-200711-171218001

She added: “We know it is extremely difficult for an established restaurant to convert to a takeaway only, however when we are left with no choice we will now do our best to succeed and pull through.

“Thank you to the people that have already placed pre-orders for this evening, we really, really appreciate it.

“Your continued support over the next few weeks will be gratefully received.”

They will be doing deliveries and collections, Thursday to Sunday of pizzas, pastas, chicken, family deals, desserts and Sunday roasts with new items being added all the time.

You can call or order online directly or through Food Chief.

Across the Market Place The Burger Lounge is also switching back to a takeaway service, as it began that way during lockdown.

Tablez Bistro and Cafe will also be doing a takeaway service Friday to Sunday.

Owner Mesut Palabiyik commented on the new lockdown: “It’s not good for businesses, but it is what it is at the moment and I don’t think it will be just a month, it will be more, which is very worrying.

“We will be doing takeaways Friday, Saturday and Sundays and continuing to offer a free meal again for vulnerable people.”

The business offered this before to support those in need struggling to get out.

Millers Restaurant in Money’s Yard is closing down but will reopen in a week.

They said: “Due to the current circumstances we have no choice but to close the doors from Thursday, November 5. We would like to thank everyone for their support since we opened on July 4 and we will be back, better than ever. We hope to see you as soon as we are allowed.

“During these times we will be offering a takeaway away menu which will be available Thursday to Sunday from Thursday November 12.”

You can call, message via Facebook or email: [email protected]

Silver Spoon cafe in Southgate is trialling a takeaway service this weekend but if unviable they plan to close their doors for now. Appetites also plan to close after the weekend.

Some other pubs and restaurants have opted to close and wait it out, such as the Marquis of Granby in Northgate and the Jolly Scotchman.

Lisa Cunago at the Carre Arms thanked her customers for supporting them throughout the summer and noted it was very busy for the final nights before lockdown. “It was lovely to be back, we enjoyed it while it lasted,” she said. “We intend to stay open for overnight guests as per the last lockdown to support keyworkers and local businesses.”

Other village pubs have also either opted to switch to takeaway services, such as the Crowbn and Anchor at Welby, or close for the time being such as the community-owned Duke of Wellington in Leasingham.

The managers at Leasingham hoped this lockdown would be shorter and thanked customers, shareholders and regulars for all their support over the last few months of reopening.

Katie from the pub said: “It has always be an uphill battle with regulation, but you have stuck by us and I hope you have felt safe and still enjoyed your time with us.

“The staff have taken things in their stride, with ever changing guidelines and rules. They have been brilliant throughout and dealt with all I have thrown at them.

“We must remember though we are in a much stronger position than many other pubs facing lockdown right now, and although now it is sad to close the door again, we know that we are not facing an uncertain future.

“For now stay safe, keep well and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.”

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