Pictures of Ardnamurchan show new look for social distancing

Ardnamurchan on Hope Street wants to be one of the first bars to reopen in Scotland when the closure order is lifted. 

Neil Douglas, who operates the bar, completely redecorated Ardnamurchan during the lockdown by creating 21 unique private dining and drinking spaces accommodating groups of varying sizes. Each area is divided from each other by screens. 

He said: "We’re fortunate to have a large venue. We’ve taken out a third of our seating to separate customers and the layout will work whether people have to maintain a one or two metre distance.

"The private spaces work really well and people will be able to pre book the one they want. Having tried them out with my own children, I know they’re perfect for families; they give the kids a bit more space than usual and naturally encourage them to stay close to their table.

"For those customers wanting to sit at the bar, there’s a discrete Perspex screen to divide them from staff.”

A one-way system, infrared taps, and toilet flushes plus hand sanitisers will be in place at the venue which, if required, will close one day a week for deep cleaning. Staff have already been given online training and will receive complete inductions before the doors open.

Customers can still walk in off the street for tables and pay by cash or can choose to go contactless by booking their table online and ordering and paying for food and drink via an app.

Neil, who also owns Basils in Edinburgh, added: “We’re really happy with the changes. Our aim is to keep all the character and ambience of the venues and maintain a great experience for customers whilst providing the safety measures that many will want. We source most of our produce from the West of Scotland so we can still serve the dishes our customers know and love. We’ll be ready whenever the go-head to reopen comes. From all the positive comments we’ve had from passersby, we know that customers are keen to come back and we can’t wait to welcome them.”

Neil employs 17 staff at Ardnamurchan and 11 at Basil, all of whom have been furloughed. Neil opened Ardnamurchan in May 2017 following a £430,000 investment with Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars.

He has received rent reductions from Star Pubs and Bars at Ardnamurchan and Basils along with Government grants to help the businesses through the crisis.