Our new extended outdoor seating service
We’ve been busy recently, training new volunteers and modifying our procedures to ensure we can serve you yummy coffee and cake in these challenging times.
Now we’re ready to return to weekday opening, kicking off with Fridays from 9am to midday. We’ve got lots of new things to see at Barnaby’s, including some delightful new flower displays outside, courtesy of our very own Berty Ferrone. Grazie Berty!
As part of our gradual return to full service, this weekend you’ll be able to come on in to Barnaby’s to place your coffee order and choose a yummy cake! Like many other places, we sadly do not have the space to seat anyone indoors within the current Government guidelines, but we’ve got lots of tables outside!
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
As part of our ‘phased’ approach to re-opening, Barnaby’s outdoor seating is now available. This does rather put us at the mercy of the weather gods, but we’re going ahead anyway! If there is a table available, please sit down and then send an emissary up to the till to place your groups order.
The takeaway service will operate as normal.
There are restrictions still in place for meeting people outdoors (rule of 6, social distancing etc), so please be mindful of those while you are visiting Barnaby’s. If in doubt, one of our wonderful volunteers will help you.
Since the Government posted their roadmap for the easing of restrictions, the BBT have been considering how and when Barnaby’s might reopen. In short, we are very much looking forward to 21st June when it is expected that all the legal limits on social contact will be removed. That is the point at which Barnaby’s will be able to safely return to its rightful place as a vital hub for our community.
The Government roadmap proposes a series of steps that lead up to 21st June. Indeed, we could potentially launch a restricted outdoor service as early as 12th April. So as that date approaches, we’ll be able to tell you more about our plans, guided by whatever is required in order to operate as safely and as successfully as possible. Until then, please stay safe.
The BBT
As the guidelines for businesses like Barnaby’s tighten up, we want to be clear about the rules that apply to those enjoying our outdoor seating area. This will allow us to continue to provide the service you enjoy:
Most importantly, please respect the requests of our volunteers, particularly if a table is not immediately available for your size of group. With your help, we’ll be able to continue giving you the service we know you want.
Following successful trials of our takeaway service, we are now ready to extend this service to Thursdays & Fridays. This will be launched on Thursday 8th October. Our hours are therefore as follows:
Thursdays
Takeaway service available from 2pm to 4pm
Fridays
Takeaway service available from 9am to 11am
Saturdays
Takeaway & outdoor seated services available from 10am to midday
We’ve waited a long time to say this, but we’re back!
At 1000 on Saturday 12th September, our new takeaway service will be launched, alongside a new “seated” service in our extended outdoor area. Both services have been extensively tested within the rules we must all now follow, and our volunteers look forward to serving you.
As you might expect, things will be a little different when you arrive. If you wish to be seated outside on one of our tables of 4, wait until we can offer you a table. Use the hand sanitiser while you wait. Once seated, we’ll take your order and bring it out to you. Payment will be by contactless only.
Our takeaway service uses a strict one way system, which is clearly marked. Your coffee will be available from the window on the East side of the building.
This is all a bit strange for us too, and it couldn’t be done at all without our amazing volunteers. Please be patient with them and do as they ask. Our intention is to run a Saturday service every week with a restricted menu, to which we will add Thursdays and Fridays in due course.
Yesterday, Barnaby’s volunteers were invited by the BBT to “be a customer for the day”, in order that they could trial a new takeaway service. The trial day was an important first stage in our phased approach to re-opening, bearing in mind the unique layout of Barnaby’s and the community we serve.
The trial day was a great success, and we are now evaluating the things we learned in order to prepare for a full launch of the service in September. Details will be announced here shortly. Thank you to all the volunteers who took part. It was great to see you again!
