Royal Oak reopens

Welshpool’s popular Royal Oak opened its doors again yesterday (Monday) with a whole raft of measures in place to keep its customers and team members as safe as possible.

And the hotel is participating in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out initiative by giving up to fifty percent or £10 off all food and soft drinks on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays during August.

General Manager, Chris Birdsell-Jones, said the number of restaurant covers had been reduced to take account of social distancing so booking was advisable but not essential.

Reopening had been a momentous moment and customers now arriving at The Royal Oak would find an information notice setting out the nine-point safety procedure now in operation.

These included social distancing measures, screens where necessary, single-use menus, a brand- new order and paying App, cashless payments and hand sanitising stations throughout the premises.

While all staff now had their temperatures taken before starting work, The Royal Oak also had a ‘Covid Safe Champion’ who spent the entire day on sanitizing and cleaning duties, regularly patrolling all public areas.

The hotel had also introduced a separate set of safety measures for guests staying overnight including a 10 high touch point cleaning protocol, online check in and pre-payment.

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams was on hand to pull the first pint on reopening watched by General Manager Chris Birdsell-Jones.