The Star Inn Wetherspoons: Reopening with new measures

The Star Inn in Honiton will be back in business early next month as JD Wetherspoon confirms it will reopen in England on July 4.

But the popular pub and restaurant will be very different from pre-coronavirus - with a host of measures being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Confirmation of the reopening followed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement yesterday (June 23) that restrictions on the hospitality industry are being eased.

Health and safety measures at The Star Inn will include issuing staff with personal protection equipment, dedicated staff to regularly clean surfaces and touch points, sanitisers spread around the pub and employees having their temperature taken daily.

At least two full-time staff will be employed to regularly clean surfaces and touch points.

There will be screens at the till point and screens will also be used to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate tables to the social distancing requirement.

Staff will be provided with gloves, masks and protective eyewear, although they can choose whether to wear them or not, subject to Government guidelines.

There will be an average 10 hand sanitiser dispensers around the pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff to use.

Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work, including having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.

Dedicated staff will monitor the pub at all times in order to maintain social distancing rules and there will be a member of staff on the door at peak times.

There will be one entrance with a separate exit door where possible. Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers and there will be clearly printed information providing guidance on entering.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.

Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and, when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass. Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff.

The pub will also offer a slightly reduced menu and provide sachets - ketchup, mayonnaise, salt pepper etc - rather than the usual condiment bottles.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: "We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans.

"We have received more than 2,500 suggestions from our staff.

"The safety of our staff and customers is paramount."

All staff will receive a full briefing and training on the new way to run the pub.