Mark Birchall will open Michelin-starred Restaurant Moor Hall a week earlier than planned

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor

Two Michelin-starred Restaurant Moor Hall with Rooms is set to reopen on July 16th, a week ahead of his original plan.

Chef patron Mark Birchall said that the sheer influx of reservations prompted the decision.

Earlier this week, the restaurant informed customers of its reopening and of the measures in place to keep them safe, in line with government guidelines. 

The statement on its website reads: "The team and I have been working hard to ensure we make your next visit safe and comfortable, whilst retaining the warm welcome, relaxed setting, and special experience that Moor Hall is renowned for," adding that its "spacious lounges, bars, dining areas and gardens" will allow it to comply with which allow us social distancing and other Public Health England (PHE) guidelines "easier than most establishments."

The Barn and Restaurant Moor Hall capacities, it says, "will reflect PHE guideline",  with reduced covers in both restaurants and the option of outdoor dining. 

The restaurant is dropping its deposit and cancellation fee policy for bookings made over the summer. 

Additionally, a series of new measures will ensure customers are - and just as importantly, feel - safe.

Customers will be required to download a QR code reader if they wish to view them on their smartphones and all payments will be cashlesss; staff will wear PPE and undergo hygiene training, self-declaration questionnaires and daily temperature checks; guests will also have their temperatures checked upon arrival; and wash/sanitising stations provided at all entrances for guests and work areas for staff.

Glass screens will be placed in between tables at The Barn, the cleaning regimes will cover all lounges, bars, dining areas, communal areas and bedrooms

Finally, it adds: "Any further guidance from Public Health England will be followed closely and we will continually update you on any new policies and procedures as a result of this," promising to reconfirm or reschedule reservations made before the lockdown. 

"May I also take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support over recent months. On behalf on the entire team and I, we cannot wait to welcome you back to Moor Hall soon."

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall and restrict access – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 12 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 500,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor 18th June 2020

Mark Birchall will open Michelin-starred Restaurant Moor Hall a week earlier than planned