Landmark East Durham pub announces safety procedures ahead of reopening at the weekend

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that pubs, hotels and bars were among the businesses allowed to reopen under relaxed lockdown measures, Seaton Lane Inn is getting ready to open its doors for both hotel guests and pub patrons with enhanced safety measures in place.

Owners The Inn Collection Group has revealed a safety plan, which will be in place across its sites, which also includes The Amble Inn in Northumberland, The Bamburgh Castle Inn in Seahouses, The Hog’s Head Inn in Alnwick and The Kingslodge Inn in Durham City.

The new safety measures are:

::Perspex screens at check-in/check-out.

::Contactless payments wherever possible.

::Full sanitisation of any areas and equipment after every single use.

::Social distancing markers placed throughout inns to enforce 2m distance, as well as hand sanitisers throughout and one way systems wherever possible.

::Food and drink can now only be purchased from a table (no bar service) and we are requesting guests to stay at their table as much as possible

::No menus, cutlery or condiments will be on tables. Tables will be set once guests sit down. New, disposable menus too.

::There will be additional sanitation in rooms, including touch points (door handles, tv remotes etc)

::All team members will be wearing appropriate PPE for their roles at all times.

Managing director Sean Donkin said: ‘We are very excited to be able to open our doors and welcome new and returning customers to The Seaton Lane Inn and all our inns across the north.

“Our guests’ safety, alongside our staffs’, is of the utmost importance though and that’s why we have implemented numerous changes to our inns across the board. We know it will be a different experience, but we are committed to ensuring our guests still have the most enjoyable time with us, with the confidence and knowledge that they are in safe hands.”

While many pubs will be reopening on Saturday in line with Government advice, some, including well-known Sunderland city centre sites, have chosen to remain closed for now due to safety concerns.

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