Biker cafés start fightback
Easing of the lockdown sees ‘new normal’ for favourite venues
The UK’s most popular biker cafés are preparing to re-open following the Government’s relaxation of lockdown restrictions from July 4. Squires in Yorkshire, Loomies in Hampshire, Ryka’s at Box Hill and The Super Sausage near Towcester all told MCN they can’t wait to re-open fully on July 4, but also warned things won’t be quite what they used to be. “We’ve been getting geared up and have used the opportunity to do the place up,” Gail Murray of the Super Sausage said. “We’ve a new kitchen floor, new hand sanitisers and driers – we’re just finishing off now.”
But she added: “We’ll be doing certain things differently, though. People can turn up as normal but we’ve barriers outside so they can queue. There’ll be an ‘in and out’ system as we’ve just one door and we’ve invested in more chairs and tables for seating outside.”
Paul Fullick of Loomies told a similar story. “We’re open now trying a takeaway service but we’ll definitely be fully open on the 4th,” he said. “It’ll be a more open air service rather than trying to fit people in the café. We’ll comply with the regulations, employees wearing gloves, us making the tea and coffee rather than having a communal area, so some things will change but we’re really looking forward to it.” Surrey venue Ryka’s has also reopened already as a takeaway only, but will be fully operational on July 4. “It’s been a long time coming,” Grace Sheppard told MCN.
“We’ve been slowly preparing, redecorating, cleaning but we’re keen to see all our customers. We’ll be wearing facemasks, the inside will be closed off, our aim is to have just one till and it’ll be a ‘one-in, one-out’ process. We’ve enjoyed our time off but we’ve got itchy feet now and can’t wait to get up and running.” While Dave Moore of Squires in Newthorpe said: “My reaction is total relief. We’re a seasonal business and the lockdown couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
“We’ve remodelled the café with a one-way system where you come in, get served and then go outside. “There’s screens at the service points, cleaning regimes and we’re even putting the sugar in your tea or coffee for you!
“Things will gradually get back to normal but initially people are going to have to accept things have to done in a whole different way.”
‘We’ll even be putting the sugar in for you’ DAVE MOORE, SQUIRES CAFE