A PUB company which owns several household brands has unveiled what its pubs will look like after coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted next week.

Greene King, which also runs Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill and Chef & Brewer pubs, has introduced a number of new safety measures at more than 2,700 sites.

It comes as the government yesterday revealed that pubs and restaurants could reopen from July 4 - and social distancing measures would be reduced.

Nick Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer of Greene King had previously joined calls for social distancing measures to be cut from 2m to 1m to help allow pubs to reopen.

But ahead of reopening, Greene King has said pubs will employ a multitude of safety measures to reduce risk of Covid-19 transmission.

The Northern Echo: Picture: GREENE KINGPicture: GREENE KING

The new measures will include: 

- A pub host will be on hand at the entrance of the pub to welcome each customer, show them to their table and manage queues.

- Customers will be asked to use the hand sanitiser stations at the entrance on arrival and utilise the many stations placed in key positions during their visit.  

- A new safe socialising layout is being introduced in the pubs, with clear signage to direct customers through the pub.

- Tables will be spaced out further in-line with any government guidelines and customers will be encouraged to pre-book a table rather than stand at the bar.

- The bar service area will have perspex screens and screening will be positioned between booths where necessary.

- There will be new one-in-one-out red and green indicators at the entrances to the toilets so customers can flip the indicator with their elbow as they enter and exit, with toilets cleaned every 15 minutes. 

- Greene King is rolling out its Order and Pay app, ahead of schedule, to all its managed pubs. From there, customers will be encouraged to download it and place food and drink orders from their table, paying contactless via the app. 

- The pubs will provide one-time-use menus that customers can take away or be disposed of in a sustainable way at the pub, cutlery will be wrapped and condiments in sachets or in fresh ramekins.

The Northern Echo: Picture: GREENE KINGPicture: GREENE KING

Greene King said it had invested £15m in these safety related measures including protective measures for its staff members and customers.

It said teams are undergoing comprehensive training ahead of reopening and will be temperature checked ahead of every shift.

It also said investment is also being made in additional team members to keep hygiene standards 'high'.

What the boss has said

Nick Mackenzie, Greene King Chief Executive Officer, said: "It is great that we finally have the news we've all been waiting for, a confirmed opening date for pubs and a change to social distancing from two metres to one.

"It is a welcome relief for pub operators, our team members who want to get back to work and of course our customers who have been missing their local pub."