If you run a hotel, restaurant, cafe or pub, are you ready to re-open your venue once the lockdown restrictions are lifted and trading resumes?

It’s likely that the lockdowns currently in place across various regions will be lifted gradually and in line with government advice.

However, that might happen sooner than you think, depending on when you’ve stumbled across this guide. And that’s why it’s vital you’re ready for reopening, because it won’t be as simple as just opening your doors and welcoming a wave of new guests.

Consider this your go-to checklist for reopening your hospitality business after COVID-19.

Inventory

Your stock is the lifeblood of your F&B operation. Here’s how to ensure it’s ready for the big reopening.

• Undertake an inventory count
• Contact each supplier to see what they have in stock and what can (and can’t) be delivered
• Take another look at your food costs and consider any vital ingredients that might not be currently available (or which might be in short supply when you reopen)
• Adjust your menu based on the findings above and what people were buying this time last year

Equipment and technology

Imagine if you reopened tomorrow and your POS or main grill wasn’t working. Doesn’t bear thinking about, right?

• Check that each utility is ready to go (phones, internet, gas, electricity, etc)
• Make sure your networking gear is working, paying particular attention to your guest WiFi
• Conduct a thorough check of your POS system and make sure everything from order taking to kitchen integration is working
• Check all kitchen equipment to ensure it’s operating as expected and safely
• Check all other equipment such as your TVs, sound system and guest tablets
• Double check your air ventilation and air conditioning systems (although the latter may need to remain switched off, depending on government advice)

Venue

Chances are, your venue hasn’t been used for several weeks or months now. Buildings need TLC and regular maintenance, just like your equipment, and they’ll need a thorough check before you reopen.

• Check for any obvious maintenance issues that have arisen during lockdown
• Remind yourself of the number of people legally allowed in your venue, and check it against the government’s latest guidelines (you may have to temporarily change that number)
• Ready the venue for social distancing rules, if required (i.e. spaced tables, floor markings)
• If you have additional space, extend the venue into other areas to make room for social distancing
• Clean and sanitise every surface area both in the front of house and back office
• Buy in PPE equipment for staff
• If you’ve been running an online ordering system during lockdown, check it can remain in place alongside your regular in-house service
• Implement pre-booking for dining in
• Ensure you buy in disposable condiments
• Laminate menus
• If possible, set up different entry and exit points

Get the full 6 page reopening checklist

At the time of writing, this is a fast-moving element of the response to COVID-19. There are reports of pubs having to implement widely spaced seating and sneeze guards, and a suggestion that hotels will only be able to open every other room on each floor.

However, like so much news during the COVID-19 situation, the truth only lies within the facts and the government-led advice.

That’s why we recommend that you keep an eye on the following official guidelines for your country. Once the hospitality industry is ready to reopen, use our full 6 page reopening checklist to ensure all bases are covered for a smooth launch.