What a post-lockdown lockdown bar could look like - including thermal imaging cameras and some staff in visors
Thermal imaging cameras, bar staff in visors and orders on an app:this is how one of Manchester's most popular bars plans to finallyreopen.
Albert’s Schloss has today revealed the measures it’s putting in placeto keep staff, customers and the venues performers safe.
It could be a taste of things to come at hospitality venues acrossGreater Manchester and the rest of the UK.
The popular Peter Street venue has installed perspex screens betweenbooths and at the bar, introduced a one-way system, removed tables andcut down its menu.
The maximum capacity will be significantly reduced too, to ensure safedistancing can occur.
Guests are greeted outside by a sign displaying ’Haus rules’, amarked-out queueing system, and a beer tap-style hand sanitisingstation.
Before being seated or served, customers will face a temperaturescreening from a thermal imaging camera which alerts staff to anyonewith an elevated temperature.
If staff suspect anyone on site is unwell - customer or otherwise -they are likely to be asked to leave and seek medical attention.
Albert’s Schloss will reduce and rotate the number of staff working tokeep the number of people on site to a minimum, and has appointed a‘Covid officer’ who will be responsible for ensuring strict hygienemeasures are adhered to.
The customer experience will be very different too - diners can eitherorder and pay for their food through an app, or nominate what Albert’sSchloss is calling a ‘table captain’ who will be given a disposablepaper menu and pencil to fill out the party’s orders.
It’s then up to customers to decide how they’d like to receive theirfood and drinks - at designated collection points around the diningareas, or straight to the table as normal.
Utensils and condiments are to be sanitised thoroughly between eachcustomer and staff will undergo thorough hand-washing every 20minutes.
Venue bosses have admitted that operating with such a reduced capacitywon't be financially profitable, but that it should help to at leastpay staff wages.