CHESTER city centre could see up to 120 hospitality businesses opening their doors to customers this Saturday, as the coronavirus lockdown eases further.

While many of the businesses have operated a take-away service throughout the lockdown, now the sector is faced with the challenge of serving customers in a safe environment – which many will choose to do by primarily focusing on outdoor service.

Carl Critchlow, CH1 Chester Business Improvement District manager, said: "We’re expecting around two thirds of hospitality businesses to open over the weekend, with almost half of them being able to offer an al fresco option.

"The city centre is so well equipped logistically to offer a pavement culture like some of the great European cities and we are here to support businesses to achieve that. Visitors to the city can definitely expect there to be plenty of outdoor options – and that’s a great place to start."

CH1ChesterBID has identified a number of ways that the hospitality businesses in the city will be changing their operating methods.

Mr Critchlow added: "Dining and drinking out won’t feel ‘normal’ at first so it’s important to make sure our visitors know what to expect - to make them most importantly feel safe - but also in the hope that they can enjoy a great experience.

"We’re expecting some people to embrace this step back to meeting and eating with a great amount of gusto – and others will want to tip-toe slowly back.

"Either way, we are hoping that helping the business owners to communicate the changes being made will make this transition as seamless as possible."

The team at CH1ChesterBID has pulled together some advice before you head into the city to dine.

  • Check the restaurant, bar or cafe you want to go to is open. Some may be providing take-away options only as they prepare to reopen. You can find this detail on Experience Chester’s interactive map at https://experiencechester.co.uk/chestertogether/
  • Call ahead and book. The maximum number of diners at one time is 30, and there is a six-person over two-household limit, so a reservation may be useful, especially if you want to reserve seating outdoors.
  • Expect robust sanitation. There will be many more hygiene measures in place than before lockdown, and cleaning may occur around you as you eat. Sanitisers at tables and entrances will become as normal as salt and pepper used to be.
  • Restaurant managers and hosts will take on the new role of safety manager advising customers. Listen to them and take on board their guidance.
  • Expect table service. Although it is still within the rules to use counter service, some restaurants and bars may switch to table service to help customers socially distance.
  • Bring warm clothing. You may decide you wish to use outdoor seating and restaurants and bars will be trying to keep doors and windows open as much as possible. A face covering or mask may also be required.
  • Expect new systems. Some restaurants will be implementing menu apps to order. Others may use single use menus or a reduced menu. There may be a traffic light system for whether a table is clean to sit at. There may be one-way walkways through a restaurant. Toilets will most likely be one-in-one-out.
  • Expect to give your contact details on arrival. The government are encouraging hospitality businesses to collate data in order to help with track and tracing.

The CH1ChesterBID city hosts are on the streets of the city ready to help visitors in the city.

They are offering advice and guidance and will also be happy to hear feedback or suggestions for improvements.

The BID team recently launched a 10-step plan to make a visit to the city as easy as possible, which along with all other updates can be found at www.experiencechester.co.uk.

Chester Racecourse continues to offer free parking at both the racecourse and Linenhall car parks. Storyhouse is set to open cinema, library and café on Saturday morning.