Dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, TODAY sees the latest step in the Government’s easing down of COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ restrictions. Our village pubs, cafés, bars, restaurants, barbers and hairdressers are now permitted to open for the first time since March 20th. It seems the majority in Ruddington are actually doing so.
Much work has been going on behind the scenes over the past few weeks whilst the owners and tenants of village venues of many different shapes and sizes have been working out if, how and when they can be ‘Covid safe’ to reopen to the public – outside, inside or both. ‘Social distancing’ markers and perspex screens have been added at many. Drinkers and diners will also be required to ‘sign in’ and leave their details when entering hospitality venues – as shown above at the Red Lion when it reopened its doors at midday today. This is in case any customers need to be traced later if there was to be a local Coronavirus outbreak in our village.
As we’ve reported previously, many Ruddington businesses have already been offering takeaways and deliveries during ‘lockdown’ as they eased their way into this ‘new normal’ – with The Old Bakehouse Tearoom, Jasper’s Café and new High Street business Sweet Moments deciding to keep it that way for now.
The Ruddington barbers and hairdressers who’ve reopened today are asking customers to hand sanitise and wear a face mask or face covering to appointments – or will provide them – whilst their own staff will be wearing PPE, including visors. Most – even our barbers – are now operating on a pre-booked appointment only basis. You will also find some salons have increased their prices to cover the additional cost keeping clients safe.
Whilst you’ll need to contact traders individually for opening hours and entry/booking restrictions, here’s our handy A-Z list of Ruddington village centre hospitality businesses and hair salons reopening their premises from Saturday July 4th:
- Aidy’s Barber Shop
- Aveda at Eleven
- Black Cat Café
- Chic Boutique (reopens Mon 6th Jul)
- Classic Cuts
- Christopher’s Barbers
- The Cottage Hotel (restaurant, bar & accommodation)
- Dhaka Delhi
- The Frame Breakers Pub (initially outside seating only)
- Gino’s Ristorante (Saturday & Sunday only)
- Martin’s Barbers
- The Next Episode (reopens Fri 10th Jul)
- Philo’s Delicatessen
- The Red Lion (including extensive new outside seating)
- The Ruddington Arms
- The Three Crowns
- The Three Spices
- The Victoria Tavern (from Mon 6th Jul)
- The White Horse Inn (pub & socially distanced marquee)
These are the village businesses RUDDINGTON.info knows about so far. If your venue or salon is also reopening this weekend (or next week) after ‘lockdown’ – but missing from the list above – please let us know soonest so that we can add you.
Early signs are that villagers and visitors are already embracing the chance to reconnect with their old haunts. Despite the grey, windy and sometimes drizzly weather today, the centre of our village has been the busiest we’ve seen it since ‘lockdown’ (below) helped by the return of the Ruddington Village Market on The Green. Earlier today most visitors seemed to be respecting the required ‘social distancing’ guidelines, with an increasing (though still small) percentage now wearing face coverings, too. However, we’re getting reports of some people getting carried away and forgetting themselves as the day goes on…
Gwen Eyre reports on Twitter: “It was getting a bit messy as I drove through this evening” whilst Steven Fernandez commented: “Better to stay away for a bit and watch and see how it goes. That’s what I’m doing. Not taking any chances!”
Indeed there’s been a timely warning from Public Health East Midlands that the virus has not gone away, as illustrated by the new ‘local lockdown’ in Leicester. It urges that “as social spaces reopen this weekend, it’s important we enjoy them safely”.
There’s a reminder we should:
- Continue to wash our hands regularly
- Keep a safe distance from others
- Follow any new safety advice in venues we visit
Resident Cath Lovatt suggests villagers might also like to take part in the current COVID Symptom Study. She explains: “It’s very easy to report each day via the app, and it really could help in the event of a local hotspot developing. I believe nearly 4million people are already contributing.”
You can find the necessary details >>HERE<<.
Just along Wilford Road, Ruddington Grange Golf Club reopened for playing members when permitted to do so back in May and, from July 4th, is welcoming visitors to play with payment through its website. This date also sees the reopening of the ‘Wentworth Suite’ (below) as its temporary clubhouse which has the necessary space to ‘socially distance’ tables and operate a one way system to satisfy government safety guidelines.
In other ‘lockdown’ easing news, Rushcliffe Borough Council announced that the children’s play area at Ruddington’s Country Park, closed since March 23rd, has reopened today. However, all users are asked to be responsible and play their part by following eight key rules. This guidance can be found >>HERE<<.
