Cheers! Horncastle area pubs and restaurants prepare for a grand reopening

The hospitality industry is finally preparing to re-open its doors across the country on Saturday, July 4 - and the pubs, hotels and restaurants in the Horncastle News area are no exception!
Jane Reed School House Coffee Bar EMN-200629-162334001Jane Reed School House Coffee Bar EMN-200629-162334001
Jane Reed School House Coffee Bar EMN-200629-162334001

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement last Tuesday (June 23) that many hospitality businesses will be allowed to reopen as the coronavirus restrictions ease this weekend, local businesses have been carefully adapting their premises so that social distancing and suitable hygiene measures are in place.

Mark Shakesby, owner of Shakesby’s Restaurant in West Street, Horncastle, confirmed he would not be re-opening this weekend - but that the popular takeaway service would be continuing.

He said: “We haven’t got a date for when we are opening, we are just putting it off for a little while.

Tim Mills Landlord of The Bull Hotel EMN-200629-162310001Tim Mills Landlord of The Bull Hotel EMN-200629-162310001
Tim Mills Landlord of The Bull Hotel EMN-200629-162310001

“I’m going to be watching what other people in the town are doing - I don’t think I am on my own.

“There are other places that aren’t going to be open on July 4.

“It has got to be a safe environment for everybody - my staff as well as the customers.

“When we do reopen we would be running on a skeleton crew and menu wise I think we would limit the menu a bit.

Rainer Barnes director of Harpars Bar, Cameron Phillips Assistant Manager and Claire Farrell director of Harpars Bar EMN-200629-164309001Rainer Barnes director of Harpars Bar, Cameron Phillips Assistant Manager and Claire Farrell director of Harpars Bar EMN-200629-164309001
Rainer Barnes director of Harpars Bar, Cameron Phillips Assistant Manager and Claire Farrell director of Harpars Bar EMN-200629-164309001

“But we want to continue to run the takeaway service alongside.

“We are just playing it safe for the time being and seeing how the land lies.

“We’ve been doing takeaways for the last seven weeks.

“We redecorated the restaurant and kitchen and then decided we’d have a go at takeaways and it has been really good.

Mark Shakesby owner of Shakesby's Restauant EMN-200629-162407001Mark Shakesby owner of Shakesby's Restauant EMN-200629-162407001
Mark Shakesby owner of Shakesby's Restauant EMN-200629-162407001

“I’m possibly going to lose at least 60% of my restaurant space - I’ve got to remove soft furnishings and space the tables accordingly.

“It is going to be tricky.

“We are continuing the takeaways as need to make it viable to actually stay open .

“The restaurant has a great vibe and has a real homely feeling.

The Bull Ring Barbers EMN-200629-162322001The Bull Ring Barbers EMN-200629-162322001
The Bull Ring Barbers EMN-200629-162322001

“I miss that kind of aspect of it.”

In a statement on Facebook, Mark added: “Thanks to everyone who has supported us during lockdown by using the takeaway service.

“Moving forward cautiously we have decided not to reopen fully on July 4 but we will continue with takeaway.

“At the end of July we will review again.

“The safety of customers and staff is paramount along with creating a dining experience that is a relaxing one and we will be thinking of ways to make this work. “Bare with us as we find how to do this and keep an eye out for updates as things evolve. Hopefully we will see you soon.”

For the latest updates, search for Shakesby’s Restaurant on Facebook or call 01507 526626.

The News also spoke to Jane Reed, owner of School House Coffee Bar in Church Lane, Horncastle.

Jane said she is looking forward to reopening on July 4 and has praised the community for supporting her business during lockdown by indulging in takeaway drinks and treats.

Jane said: “We are planning on opening on Saturday.

“We are just going to see what happens.

“We have been doing take-away coffees and cakes.

“It is not ideal, but it does keep some money coming in.

“The only thing is the Government haven’t released how they are going to keep customers names and addresses.

“We have got everything in place as much as we can.

“We have got 18 seats less in the coffee bar.

“We will have less staff to allow social distancing and customers will be advised to use hand sanitiser before they come in.

“We already do waitress service but we will be seating people as well.

“We now have laminated menus.

“We are going to try to do as much as we can and have the seem feeling as there was before by offering fresh proper food.”

To book a table or for updates, search for School House Coffee Bar on Facebook or call 01507 524723.

Another business which will be re-opening this weekend is the award-winning Tattershall Farm Park.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Tattershall Farm Park said: “We are delighted to announce we will be open on July 4.

“Our animals are missing you, our team is missing you and all our outdoor spaces are looking amazing, and are ready for you to re-discover or explore (for 
maybe the first time)

“The government guidance is that we are able to open the outdoor adventure trim trail, 33m Zip Wire, jumping pillows, climbing wall, and Woodland Play Towers.

“Until guidance changes we must keep our soft play and indoor activity centre, toddler room, indoor sand and swing barn closed.

“We’re also busy hatching plans for activities to replace the close contact encounter sessions that we know you all love, but that we can’t do right now.

“Our cafe will be operating on a take-away basis and we will have our Fodder Box snack bar open too.

“We’ve already made some changes around the farm (like adding extra hand wash sinks), and while you won’t see our team wearing face masks, instead we hope you’ll see subtle but effective processes to encourage social distancing and to keep you safe when you return.

“Thank you to each and every one that has sent us messages of love, and support.

“It’s kept us all going in what has been a very tricky time, and its never been more evident that we have ‘Farm Park Friends’ rather than just visitors.”

Search for Tattershall Farm Park on Facebook for the latest updates.

Horncastle’s Admiral Rodney Hotel, in North Street, will also be opening its doors to the public again on July 4.

There will be a whole raft of measures in place to keep customers and team members as safe as possible.

And, as a special thank you the town’s NHS, care home and blue light workers for all their amazing efforts during lockdown, there will also be a twenty-five per cent discount off all meals during July.

General Manager Hannah Melton said it would be a momentous occasion, and that customers arriving at The Admiral Rodney would find an information notice setting out the nine-point safety procedure now in operation.

These included social distancing measures, screens where necessary, single-use menus, a brand- new order and paying app, 
cashless payments and hand sanitising stations through-out the premises.

While all staff will have their temperatures taken before starting work, The Admiral Rodney will also have a ‘Covid Safe Champion’ who will spend the entire day on sanitising and cleaning duties, regularly patrolling all public areas.

The hotel has also introduced a separate set of safety measures for guests staying overnight including a 10 high touch point cleaning protocol, online check in and pre-payment.

And should guests staying at The Admiral Rodney or any other hotel belonging to The Coaching Inn Group happen to be NHS, care or blue light workers, then they would be entitled to a half price room only discount until the end of the month.

Another business which will be reopening on Saturday is The Bull Tapas Bar and Restaurant, in Bull Ring, Horncastle.

The News spoke to Tim Miles who explained: “I am opening and it will be the new norm.

“Once tables are full that is it - there will be no standing room.

“Tables will be for a maximum of six people.

“We are abiding by Covid-19 guidelines.

“People will sign in and we will keep their details for 21 days.

“I’ve completely gutted and redecorated the whole ground floor, we have rearranged tables and put up signage.

“Everything is a metre plus where I can’t do two metres and two metres where I can.

“I have not missed working - I have enjoyed the break and the redecorating.

“But it is the customers I have missed, and the banter with our regulars.

“All I ask people this weekend is please be patient.

“If I haven’t got a table then I am sorry - I can only seat what I have.

“I’ve got tables of four and there are some where I can add two more to make a six if needed.”

For the latest updates, search for The Bull Tapas and Restaurant on Facebook or call 01507 523331.

Harpar’s Bar is also looking forward to July 4 - and staff are excited to see some familiar faces again.

The News spoke to Rainer Barnes who said: “We are opening on Saturday.

“We have a vape store which is part of the venue which opened when non-essential stores were given the go-ahead.

“We are working hard to get everything in place.

“We put a comprehensive risk assessment together.

“Upon arrival we are collecting names and contact details. It will be table service only and a one-way system will be in place.

“There will be sanitisation points throughout the venue, and there is a one in one out system for the toilets.

“Tables will be spaced accordingly and we’ve increased the size of our beer garden threefold.

“We have opened up our lawned area out the back, and on Saturday we encourage people to bring picnic blankets.

“The whole venue has been deep cleaned because the safety of our customers and staff is a priority.

“On Saturday night there will be a barbecue outside.

“It will be nice to welcome everybody back.

“We can’t wait to get back to normality.

“We’ve been busy re-decorating inside to make it look all lovely for everybody.”

For the latest updates, search for Harpar’s Bar on Facebook.

With so many businesses in the Horncastle area that have been given the go-ahead to reopen on Saturday, it has been impossible to speak to them all individually.

It should be noted that many restaurants, pubs and hotels have found adapting their premises and preparing to reopen is still ongoing, with several businesses 
holding back about their reopening plans when approached by the News.

Residents should consult businesses, hair salons, pubs and restaurants directly in the first instance.