Swadlincote's The Sir Nigel Gresley: Reopening safety measures revealed

JD Wetherspoon has released details of measures being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers when its pubs - including Swadlincote's The Sir Nigel Gresley - reopen.

Steps will include issuing staff with personal protection equipment, dedicated staff to regularly clean surfaces and touch points, sanitisers spread around the pub and employees having their temperature taken daily.

The company has announced it will employ two full-time staff per pub, slightly more for bigger pubs, to regularly clean surfaces and touch points.

All pubs will have screens at the till point and there will also be screens to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate tables to the social distancing requirement.

Staff will be provided with gloves, masks and protective eyewear, although they can choose whether to wear them or not, subject to Government guidelines.

There will be an average 10 hand sanitiser dispensers around the pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff to use.

Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work, including having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.

Dedicated staff will monitor the pub at all times in order to maintain social distancing rules and there will be a member of staff on the door at peak times.

There will be one entrance with a separate exit door where possible.

Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers and there will be clear printed information providing guidance on entering.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.

Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and, when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass.

Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff.

Pubs will also offer a slightly reduced menu and provide sachets - ketchup, mayonnaise, salt pepper etc - rather than the usual condiment bottles.

The company, which will be opening pubs their usual hours, has undertaken extensive consultation with employees and many of its suppliers and contractors, as well as referring to UK Hospitality guidelines.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: "At present the Government have not confirmed any reopening date for pubs.

"However, it is important that we are prepared for any announcement.

"We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans.

"We have received more than 2,500 suggestions from our staff.

"The safety of our staff and customers is paramount."

All staff will receive a full briefing and training on the new way to run the pubs.

The pub chain's owner Tim Martin told Nub News last month that for 'planning purposes' the company is readying itself for a June opening if the Government permits.