We are very pleased to announce that The Cricketers will re-open at 4pm on Thursday 9th July.
Jo and the team are delighted to be coming out of our enforced hibernation and we are looking forward to welcoming our lovely customers back.
We have been working hard to ensure that you can come and enjoy a pint with us in a way that is safe for both staff & customers, without compromising our traditional pub atmosphere.
For our opening week, Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July, we will be advising you to make bookings wherever possible. This will ensure we can manage the flow of customers, make any necessary tweaks to procedures and allow the staff to get back up to speed.
We will be closed on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July and will then reopen fully from 4pm on Wednesday 15th July.
From that date, again bookings are not a requirement but are strongly advised. To ensure safe distancing between tables we have had to reduce our capacity and all customers will be required to have a seat and there will be no seating or standing at the bar. That means once we are at capacity we will have to turn customers away therefore book a table to avoid disappointment.
To book a table email cricketers@beerhouses.co.uk or call us on 01924 267032. If you message us on social media please do not assume that means a booking is made until we get back to you to confirm.
You’re sure to have lots of questions. We’ve done our best to answer them below:
FAQs
What precautions are you taking to keep people safe?
We have been working hard to make The Cricketers is as safe as possible and have put many new procedures in place.
The key new policy is that we have reduced our capacity and all customers must have a seat whilst they are at The Cricketers. This will ensure we can easily control the numbers of people in the building. Groups will be at least 1m+ apart, more where feasible. Separate doors to enter and exit the pub will ensure smooth flow of customers and table service will stop the need for customers to congregate around the bar.
By the entrance and exit, and by the Ladies and Gents, there are hand sanitiser facilities for customers to use.
Cleaning is of course a top priority and staff have been fully trained to ensure the pub is always clean and safe.
Finally, we will ask at least one member of each group to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace.
What will the pub experience be like?
In many ways The Cricketers will be just the same. The same great drinks in the same lovely old traditional pub. The buzz of conversation over a pint of cask beer, that we’ve all missed so much during lockdown, will be just the same.
The two most notable changes will be that all customers will have a seat and you will order drinks from your table rather than going to the bar.
Do I need to book?
No, you do not need to book however it is strongly recommended. Since capacity is limited
we strongly recommend booking if you can. All customers are required to have a seat so if we have none available we will have to turn customers away. Best to book and avoid disappointment!
What tables are available?
We have tables available for between 1 and 6 guests. For groups between 7 and 18 people we have two side rooms that can be booked for your exclusive use if adhering to all safe distancing guidelines.
You can also book a table in our beer garden which has been extended into the car park for between 1 and 6 people. Note: most of these tables are not undercover so you will be exposed to the elements and outside tables must be vacated by 10pm at the latest. We now have seating outside for 40.
What about the toilets?
Both the Ladies and Gents toilets will operate on a one-in-one-out system with well defined safe distanced queuing. Staff will clean the toilets at 20-minute intervals.
Can I smoke?
If you book a table in the beer garden you can smoke to your heart’s content (and your lungs dismay). Smokers who are seated inside will not be able to go into the beer garden to smoke as this risks infringing on our safe distancing measures. Instead they will be able to smoke outside at the front or side of the building and away from the entrance & exit.
What about payment?
We encourage customers to order and pay on our new app or use contactless payments. We will continue to accept cash but wherever possible please pay via contactless.
What about the quiz and other events?
Our Wednesday night quiz we hope will return at the usual time on Wednesday 22nd July. Once we are up and running more events will follow.
Test and Trace?
The Government has asked us to collect contact details for NHS Test and Trace. As such we will ask for the contact details of at least one member of each group coming to The Cricketers. Whilst we will ask every group this is not mandatory and if you do not wish to leave contact details you do not have to. All your information will be held securely as per our GDPR policy and will not be used for any other purpose without your consent. Please refer to our ‘Privacy Notice’ on our website for more details.
What about Dogs?
We are a very dog friendly pub. There is no change to the policy that all dogs are welcome that are well behaved, on a lead and not on the furniture. However you must also ensure your dogs do not block the taped walkways so as people can safe distance. Also note that the dog treat jar will be out of action to reduce the risk of spreading the virus and ensuring safe distancing from the bar.
What are the opening hours?
The current situation is very fluid and we will have to adapt and change over the coming weeks and months. Our initial opening hours are given below but this is likely to change as we get a better picture of what the situation will be.
Thursday 9th July: 4pm – 10pm
Friday 10th July: 3pm – 11pm with last admittance at 10pm
Saturday 11th July: 12noon – 11pm with last admittance at 10pm
Sunday 12th July: 12noon – 8pm
Monday 13th July: Closed
Tuesday 14th July: Closed
Wednesday 15th July: 4pm – 10pm
Thursday 16th July: 4pm – 10pm
Friday 17th July: 3pm – 11pm
Saturday 18th July: 12noon – 11pm
Sunday 19th July: 12noon – 8pm
Monday 20th July onwards TBC
