Upton Court ready to re-open

SEAN DOYLE of The 64, Nel Sweeney’s, The Coach House and the Upton Court Hotel and lodges has said that it has been a very busy time getting ready to re-open.

He said that the ‘staycation’ idea will be of great importance this summer, as keeping staff and customers safe will be top priority.

‘At all our venues it’ll be a very different experience but obviously we’ll be trying to maintain atmosphere as much as possible while still keeping up with all the rules. We’ll have a reduced capacity with screens going up in all of our venues, but it won’t look like you’re in an airport lounge. We’ll be keeping the nice feeling and atmosphere so it’ll be good dining experience.

‘We just about had enough time, and staff training was huge and I must give a ten out of ten to our staff as they reacted really brilliant and took everything on board. We’re looking forward to seeing our full staff and our customers back again, really, just to get a bit of the craic going again as we need it.

‘Loads of people have said to me that they’re looking forward to getting back for the social interaction. Even if it is with their own family groups, at least it’s a change of scenery’.

Although Sean admitted that this summer will be a challenge for the tourism sector, that all are well able to adapt.

‘Certainly turnover will be down a lot, but we’re expecting a reasonable enough summer along the coast in Kilmuckridge.

‘July and August is the traditional summer season anyway but from September on, it’ll be a different world but we hope once things are back to normal we’ll be okay.

‘Irish people have gotten very good at adapting to new situations so we’ll just get on with it. Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe’.

A big change is that The 64 will change from a late night bar to a pub serving food, and the Upton Court holiday cottages are proving popular as a spacious home away from home.

‘It’ll certainly be very different but people will adapt,’ said Sean.