Shepherd Neame pubs prepare to open their doors for the start of a great summer

Britain’s oldest brewer, based in Faversham, temporarily closed the doors of its 312 pubs and hotels on November 5 last year, along with its brewery shop, in line with Government advice.

Following the Government’s confirmation on Monday (April 5) that pubs can open outside spaces from April 12, before being able to offer indoor service from May 17, preparations are now ramping up to welcome back customers at those Shepherd Neame pubs with suitable outside spaces. A full list of the 201 sites reopening on Monday is available here: https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs-hotels-reopening-2021. The rest of the estate will reopen on May 17.

Shepherd Neame’s brewery shop in Court Street, Faversham, will also reopen on Tuesday (April 13). It will be open from 10.30am to 1pm then 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Shepherd Neame will follow the same exemplary hygiene and social distancing measures introduced last summer to ensure a safe environment for team members and customers. This will include the following:

• Clear rules and signage
• Table service
• Table planning to allow for social distancing
• Online Order & Pay at table where possible
• Simplified menus online, single use menus on the day
• Introducing a single entrance and exit where possible
• Hand sanitiser for all
• Extensive training for team members

Pubs will initially be able to accept groups of up to six people from different households, or larger groups from a maximum of two households. This number includes babies and children.

Every pub will be supporting NHS Test and Trace by undertaking the following:

• Asking every customer or visitor (over the age of 16) to provide their name and contact details
• Displaying an official NHS QR code poster so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using the NHS COVID-19 app as an alternative to providing their contact details
• Keeping a record of all staff working on a given day and their contact details

These records will be kept for 21 days with data provided to NHS Test and Trace if requested, adhering to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) at all times.

Director of Retail and Tenanted Operations Nigel Bunting said: “The health and welfare of team members and customers remains our top priority. We are doing our very best to provide reassurance that our environments are Covid-secure, with extensive protective measures across our pubs and hotels. As before, we ask customers for their support in taking personal responsibility to follow the rules, to demonstrate patience towards our staff, tolerance towards fellow customers and respect for our neighbours.”

Shepherd Neame’s brewing team has remained operational throughout the lockdown period, focusing its efforts on producing bottled beer for the supermarkets and its online shop. The team has now resumed keg and cask production, however, in order to supply fresh beer to pubs, hotels and restaurants as they reopen across the country.

Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “It has been fantastic to see our brewers resuming keg and cask production as we prepare to reopen our pubs and hotels on Monday. We look forward to welcoming customers back for a beer and a meal at the start of a Great British summer. We are incredibly proud that our teams have kept their pubs at the heart of their communities throughout this crisis, working to provide vital services and support. After the unprecedented impact of the past year, it is more important than ever for our pubs to provide a social hub.”

More information on safety guidance and booking information is available here: https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/guidelines

Image description: Enjoy fantastic sea views from the garden of the Belle Vue Tavern Pegwell Bay