Dear Guests,
As we begin to tentatively navigate the road back to trading we wanted to update you, our valued guests on what we have been doing, the plans we have been making and the steps we still intend to take to ensure we are best placed to re-open as soon as, but also as safely as possible.
Like many in the industry we have optimistically set our sights on early July for a return to trading. It’s clear, however, there are still many details to be decided and a number of hurdles for us to jump over as we aim to become “Covid- secure”. Whilst awaiting industry-specific guidelines we continue to juggle several what-if scenarios as we plan for a brighter future. It’s a tough balance as a visit to the pub is largely by definition incongruous to social distancing.
We always wanted to make a visit to The Station as enjoyable an experience as possible and in our short five weeks of trading we learnt many lessons and have had time during lockdown to reflect on these and to apply them to our re- opening plan. It’s clear that pubs with attractive, safe and well-managed outside spaces may be at the head of the queue when the re-opening rollout begins. We have therefore been working hard on better defining the garden area with landscaping and ensuring the pub is as attractive as it can possibly be with vibrant planting, hanging baskets and opportunities to extend into additional trade-able areas externally should we be permitted to. You have not yet seen the end of the development to the front of the pub, hopefully a little oasis in amongst the development work around us and one that adds to the attractive nature of the village.
I’d like to pay tribute to the team also who have remained very supportive, understanding and committed to ensuring a positive, professional and swift return to action. We’ve not rested on our pre lockdown success either but have taken the opportunity to bring in a new Head Chef, Vicky, who is brimming with energy, enthusiasm and ambition. Our food offer has always reflected classic, simple dishes cooked well and we are not about to change that philosophy. Hopefully, you will see in our opening summer menu that we remain determined to get your taste-buds going and to get you enjoying our daily changing variety and seasonality. Having dipped our toe, extremely gently into the takeaway market in March we have designed the new menu to be very “take-awayable” as we respect the view of those that may not/cannot return to the pub as soon as others.
Our commitment to a great drinks range remains too and we look forward to picking up where we left off with our local real ales, craft beer range, balanced and interesting wine, gin and spirits lists.
All in all, there remains lots to look forward to and much to remain optimistic about. Like everyone we have had some tough times, but nothing is as important as welcoming every one of you back safe, well and confident in our ability to deliver great hospitality safely and considerately.
We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Until then please do stay safe and continue to look after yourselves until we may be in a position once again to look after you.
Kind Regards
Lloyd & Becky Willis
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