Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery’s venue, The Royal Barn, has introduced adaptions to its layout and offering to ensure it is COVID-19 secure.
The owners have implemented new safety measures and precautions to create a safe environment for customers. Part of this is a brand-new layout to the space – while it was previously open plan, new booths have been built to keep individual parties separate and make it easier to maintain social distancing. There are measured spaces between tables and general areas, and the bar has been sectioned off with panels. They’ve also built a new mezzanine level to offer more seating options and a private area available for hire, which doubles as a coworking space on weekdays.
Quirkier features include a traffic light system for the toilets, and a doorbell for the front door that customers can use to get the attention of bar staff without having to enter the building. The team have also introduced new technology with the Round app, which means customers can browse the menu and order directly from their table.
Managing director, Stuart Taylor, said: “We’re closely following the government guidelines and have rolled out the official safety measures including the QR code track and trace system, table service only, 10pm closing time and non-cash payments. Our re-design of the layout and the new booths is something extra that we’ve built to minimise any risks and ensure our customers always feel comfortable.
“We’ve tried to make the best of a challenging situation. It has been great to welcome our customers back to The Royal Barn when we re-opened our doors after lockdown – they’ve especially enjoyed the quirkier features that we’ve introduced, like the doorbell and the toilet traffic lights. But ultimately, our aim is to provide a space that feels as secure as possible during the fight against COVID-19.”
Newly introduced services at the popular venue include a coworking space on the new mezzanine, which workers can enjoy on weekdays with unlimited Kircabi coffee. There’s also a new daytime food offering, in collaboration with fellow Kirkby Lonsdale business, Deli on The Square, giving customers the option of hot and cold lunches and snacks.
Stuart added: “We understand that times are tough at the moment. Still, we hope that we can play our part in offering somewhere in Kirkby Lonsdale for everyone to drink, eat and enjoy themselves in a safe and comfortable environment.”
