Rick Stein's Malborough, Portheleven restaurants permanently closed
'We need to get this right. We haven’t got a second chance at this'
2 metre rule review to conclude 'within days,' says UK minister
'It's been absolutely devastating'
Clare Smyth chef and owner of Michelin-starred Notting Hill restaurant, Core, believes that the future of hospitality rests on inspiring customer confidence when lockdown measures are lifted.
Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, the chef said: "We need to get this right, we need to start slowly."
Having taken measures including masks for staff, covered cloakrooms, hand sanitiser dispensaries, and QR codes from which guests can order wine, she stressed that "guest confidence is the most important thing right now."
The chef said that as restaurants are well versed in in food and health safety, reopening with Covid-secure measures in place should simply be “an extension of that.”
However difficult the hurdles ahead, she said: "We have to get it right. We haven’t got a second chance at this.”
As of yet the restaurant has not announced a reopening date, as like many others much rests on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's anticipated announcement this evening, which will lay out guidelines for restaurants, bars and pubs to reopen on July 4th - which, it is hoped by many, will reflect the advice of trade body UKHospitality, which has worked closely with the industry to understand what is workable and how to best get the industry back on its feet.
Last week Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon laid out the country's plans to reopen the sector, showing close alignment with UKHospitality guidance.
Last night, Clare shared a picture of her team on social media, expressing how much she has missed them and hinting that they would be reunited again soon:
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'We need to get this right. We haven’t got a second chance at this'
Rick Stein's Malborough, Portheleven restaurants permanently closed
2 metre rule review to conclude 'within days,' says UK minister
'It's been absolutely devastating'
