Restaurant’s big refurb before customers can return
A BURTON restaurant has undergone a major refit ahead of reopening in May.
Bablu Miah, owner of the Claypot Lounge, in New Street decided to use the time while he has been forced to close his business due to Covid restrictions to spruce up the restaurant and cannot wait to welcome his customers back on May 17.
Due to not having outdoor space, the Claypot Lounge was unable to open to customers on April 12, when restaurants and pubs could serve people in outdoor areas. But the venue has been busy with the refurb which has included new windows and a new entrance door.
The venue has also completely stripped out and re-decorated the toilets, hallway and redecorated the restaurant dinning area, said Mr Miah. He has added new wallpaper, a new paint colour, mirrors, lighting, and new leather bench seating, as well as a completely refurbishing the bar area. The project is still in progress, but Mr Miah is confident he will be finished by next week, which gives him enough time before opening on May 17, when restaurants and pubs can welcome customers back inside their premises for drinks and food as part of the Government’s road map out of lockdown.
Mr Miah, who lives in Birmingham, said: “I only took over the place in December 2019 and did refurbish it at the time to make sure my customers realised we were a new business, but I just felt like now was the time to start afresh and give my customers a surprise when they come back.
“I had the time and I thought rather than waiting to do the refurb when I open and temporarily have to close my business, I should make the most of the time I have currently and I am very happy with the outcome and way things are shaping up.
“The last year or so has been very difficult, I have had to adapt the way I operate, but for me the biggest disappointment was not being able to offer my customers a pleasant dining-in experience.
“I put a post on my social media announcing I was taking bookings for May 17 and the response was very good.
“We will still be taking a cautious approach to re-opening and will be running the restaurant at half capacity, to ensure the guidelines are met.
“I am confident restaurants like mine will welcome customers back. It has been a long time coming but hopefully things continue to improve and we will continue moving forward.”