This week, our three restaurants will open their doors for the first time since the lockdown began, with The Walled Garden Restaurant and The Apple Tree Restaurant both open from Monday and The Engine Room Restaurant back in action on Tuesday. We’re taking wide-ranging steps in order to keep both staff and customers safe during this time and will be offering a reduced menu to begin with, so I wanted to share details of some of the systems and measures we’re putting in place.

SOCIALLY DISTANCED DINING

In line with the latest government guidelines, we will be ensuring that social distancing can be adhered to at all times within the restaurants.

Outdoor space will be utilised as much as possible and some of the tables have been removed to ensure that guests and staff can maintain two metre distancing while both inside and outside. The Walled Garden will make use of the Butterfly House to create more space, while The Apple Tree and The Engine Room will both extend their gardens into the car parks.

A NEW PROCESS

On arrival, guests will be shown to their tables and all visitors will be asked to provide names and contact details, as part of the government’s Track and Trace regulations. These will be held for 21 days only and will not be used for any other purpose.

All menus will be on blackboards and only one member of the party should go to the till to place the group’s order. A member of the front of house team will bring all drinks and food to the table, leaving the tray with the group.

As guests leave, a table clearer will remove all debris and will disinfect the tables and the chairs, getting everything ready for the next visitors.

We will be operating a booking system for all inside space. Please call the following numbers to reserve a table:

  • The Apple Tree Restaurant – (01935) 403158
  • The Engine Room Restaurant – (01305) 257251
  • The Walled Garden Restaurant – (01935) 814345

Our new opening hours at all three restaurants will be:

Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (last orders at 3:30 pm)

Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (last orders at 4:00 pm)

REDUCED MENU

Initially, we will offering a reduced range of food and drink options, as we implement our new systems and make certain that everything is working effectively.

The menu will be limited to teas, coffees, cakes, cream teas and ice creams, but we plan to  introduce light lunches as soon as possible.

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re working hard to get everything ready and as soon as the new system is up and running, we’ll be exploring ways to increase the dining options at all three garden centres.

We already have plans to introduce a new system for taking orders and payment at the table, reducing the need for movement still further, and we’ll bring back other favourites from the menus as soon as we can. Things won’t be quite the same to begin with, but our teams will be doing everything they can to give you the restaurant experience you remember.

Mike