“Why not plan a midweek meal out to help yourself and hospitality?”

Tuesday 16 February 2021

Islanders wanting to eat out again from next week are being asked to consider a midweek meal rather than booking for the weekend.

With restaurants having to reduce their capacity to ensure that diners on different tables are sat 2m apart from each other, people are being encouraged to support the reopening by spreading demand across the week.

Simon Soar, Jersey Hospitality Association CEO, said: “Venues will do all they can to protect people but I would encourage Islanders to think about eating Monday to Thursday rather than on a Friday or Saturday - it is likely to be easier to book, it won’t be as congested and you’ll be helping the restaurant by spreading its costs and effort.”

He added that restaurants were busy this week preparing for Monday’s reopening, which was announced on Friday as part of the next stage of the Government’s 'reconnection' plan.

Pictured: JHA chief executive Simon Soar: “Businesses are desperate to reopen again”.

“It is going to be tough but it is a starting point. It is all about following the guidance, but that’s not just for businesses, it is for individuals to take responsibility too.

“So, that means not hugging friends, not coming if you’re feeling ill and not pushing the guidance as far as you can. It is not down to any of us to interpret the guidance in order to do more.”

Mr Soar conceded that, for smaller restaurants, having to keep different groups 2m apart would be difficult and the number of covers would have to reduce significantly.

“It will be trickier but I think most restaurant and pub owners will take any opportunity they can - perhaps combining inside covers and takeaway meals as best they can. Businesses have seen bookings flying in since the announcement on Friday and I know they are desperate to reopen and welcome guests again. 

Natalie Duffy, owner of The Salty Dog in St. Aubin, added: “The 2m rule is going to pose a real challenge for small restaurants and may make reopening unviable for some of them next week. However, it is a staged approach so the situation may be different in three weeks’ time. 

“Hopefully, the number of cases will continue to go down and, with the days getting longer, spring isn’t not too far off and that opens up more opportunities for outside eating. 

“One of the effects of the pandemic is that I’ve noticed people seem more willing and prepared to eat outside, so perhaps we might become more of an alfresco culture - especially when you remember what the weather was like during lockdown last year.

“Despite the challenges of reopening, we’re all obviously keen to reopen. We’ve also been impressed with the engagement of Environmental Health, who have listened to our concerns and have been willing to make adjustments to the guidance to make it work practically without compromising safety.”

Pictured: Restaurants and pubs serving food are being encouraged to take the temperature of diners as they enter.

One owner of a small restaurant, David Cameron, who is a partner at Pedro’s in St. Aubin, said that he would not be opening for now.

“We are only about 4m by 7m so we’ve worked out we could probably get six two-man tables in there,” he said. “But for us, it is more about the impact on the atmosphere: people eat out for an experience and having such a spaced-out environment won’t offer that.

“Also, I think some people will be reluctant to go out until they’ve had their jab. We’re not that far away until most Islanders will have had their first dose so we’re happy to be patient until everyone is more confident to go out.”

Mr Cameron added that Pedro’s would still be offering its popular home delivery service, which it had served throughout the pandemic. Dishes are prepared by Mr Cameron and his team, which are then finished off by the customer at home.

While some restaurants are cautiously preparing to open, gyms remain shut until at least the next stage of reconnection in mid-March. 

Gym owner Cameron Elliott, who speaks for his industry through the newly formed Association of Health and Fitness Jersey, said he was frustrated that gyms could not open, not even for low-intensity activity.

“I was surprised at the lack of consistency and the fact that gyms have been neglected again,” he said.

“It seems a little strange that restaurants can open up with ten people around a table but I can’t open up my 5,000 sq ft gym with 30 people in it. 

“Our procedures are immaculate and I firmly believe we should be back in business. We’re on the front line tackling obesity, eating disorders, injuries and mental health problems, yet we’ve been left out of that fight.

Pictured: Cameron Elliott is a director of Transform Together Fitness on Longueville Road.

“The global data just doesn’t back up the Government’s position. There is far more risk of transmission in hospitality and retail than there is in gyms, but even if there is concern, we’ve already carried out risk assessments to make much of our industry safe. There is far too much variation in what we do to lump everything together.”

Mr Elliott said that the financial support for gym-owners had also fallen short. 

“The co-funding and fixed-cost schemes just haven’t been fit for purpose,” he said. “When it comes to rateable value, we’re on a par with a hair salon a tenth of our size because of our location.

“The fixed-cost scheme covers a third of our rent but we’ve got other costs: our software, our domains, leasing equipment, our coffee area … they all add up.

“The other measures, such as the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, haven’t worked for us; gym-owning friends in the UK have been given far more support.” 

Mr Elliott said he had invited Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham to his gym last year to discuss the issue and, although he hadn’t yet met the Senator, the invitation was still open.