Dear Members

We are almost in a position to welcome you all back!

Please give the following your urgent and full attention: Be aware this is a starting position, all the below points will be subject to constant review and potential change:

Following the recent update from the Government, stating that bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen,  the Board of Directors have discussed when and how we can viably reopen.  The Government has issued guidelines for bar and restaurants to follow and these have been referred to when making any decisions on procedures. The Government position on the ‘2 metre’ guideline has not changed for general circumstances. However, they are allowing bars and restaurants to operate with a ‘1 metre plus rule’ with mitigated risks.

After discussion it was decided that the earliest date we can reopen is Friday 10^th July 2020.   This is subject to finalisation of risk assessments and ability to restock to a viable level for opening. Take this date as read, but please keep an eye out for notifications in case this has to change at short notice.

With effect from Friday 10^th July 2020 until further notice the following temporary bar opening hours will apply:

Monday               Closed

Tuesday               7pm – 10pm

Wednesday        7pm – 10pm

Thursday             Closed

Friday                    7pm – 11pm

Saturday              5pm – 11pm

Sunday                 2:30pm – 10pm

Please note that the later time each day is when last orders will be strictly called. We will be allowing up to 30 minutes drinking up time but would insist you adhering to this, to the letter, to allow our staff to clean down all surfaces, toilets, bar equipment etc. for staff and members safety. The downstairs club premises will be fully vacated and locked down at the end of each open day.

Opening is strictly members only at this time, no signing in is allowed. All Members who have not yet been able to pay their membership fee due to the lockdown will still be welcome to use the club on their initial visit but can expect to be gently reminded their membership is still due for payment. Social Members – Please remember that spouses & partners are not included in your membership and cannot use the club at this time. Please adhere to this to avoid any embarrassment, and remember that they will be more than welcome to become members themselves, or there are options to upgrade to full membership to cover families. Please feel free to discuss the options with any Director.

Signing in & out: A book will be used for recording members entering the club.  The book will be displayed prominently inside the main entrance, in front of the bar. Hand Sanitiser will also be available where the signing in book is. All members need to register entry date, time of arrival, name and contact telephone number or email address.  A new page will be used each day and previous days entry removed and kept securely in the safe.  These records are for track and trace purposes only and need to be kept for 21 days and will then be destroyed.

Notices & signs: There are various notices around the club, reminding members to wash hands, keep your distance, no standing at the bar. Please adhere to these messages for everyone’s safety. Yellow and black striped warning tape has been placed on the floor to aid and enable social distancing guidelines to be adhered to.

Staffing: For the time being it has been decided that the bar will be run with volunteers only.  Due to the new guidelines which need to be enforced 2 staff members will be working per shift to run the club & bar safely.

Please be aware that in these exceptional times we must all treat everyone with the upmost respect and members must follow the instructions of staff at all times to make this work for us all. All staff will be wearing either a face mask or face shield. Gloves may also be worn. This is to ensure the safety of all.

Payment: Unfortunately for opening we won’t be able to take card payment, we are working hard to remedy this as soon as possible, and thank you for your patience whilst we are working on this.

Tables & Seating: The club has been rearranged to allow for 1 meter plus social distancing. There are 8 tables with a maximum of 16 seats in the main lounge and a further 2 tables with 4 seats in the TV room.  The games room will be off limits except for access to the ladies toilets, cellar and emergency exit.

Table service: As standing at the bar is not allowed by Government guidelines there will be table service only at this time.  One staff member will be behind the bar and the other serving / collecting glasses. Please leave your empty glasses on the table to be collected, do not bring them to the bar. We will also be doing this to start with for outside drinking, this will be subject to review.

We pride ourselves that families and pet owners can enjoy our facilities normally in a generally relaxed way. Unfortunately, these are exceptional circumstances, and we need your help to ensure the following guidelines are strictly adhered to:

Families: Household units of members may be allowed to sit together in a larger group , please ask staff for advice before attempting to move table and chair arrangements. We kindly insist that all Children are kept under control and must not be allowed to run around the club premises, both inside and outside, as staff will be carrying drinks to tables and this is to enable everyone’s safety. Your cooperation is kindly required.

Pets: We kindly insist that all pets during bar opening times, must be kept on a lead and under close control, take extra care with the extendable type of lead for example. This applies to both inside and outside areas as staff will be carrying full drinks to and from outside tables and benches and this is to enable everyone’s safety. Your cooperation is kindly required.

Outside areas: No standing is to be allowed on the veranda or the path up to the end of the club building. This is to ensure safe entry to the club premises. Smoking – Smokers must use the smoking shelter that is adjoining the outside wall of the snooker room / side of the tea hut. Smokers must not congregate on the veranda.

Snooker, Cards & Darts: At this time, there will be no playing of snooker, cards or darts. As more guidance becomes available from various sources, governing bodies, Government etc. this will be reviewed.

Gaming Machines: The bandit, arcade and card machines will be available for use. However, members must inform members of staff when they have finished using these machines so they can be wiped down with anti bacterial wipes.

Bowls: The Bowls Section Committee and Club Directors have worked closely together to ensure the safe use of the green. These procedures have been widely communicated and still apply at this time. There is likely to be further guidelines from the BCGBA in light of the above and the bowls section committee will communicate this accordingly.

Toilets:  These will be cleaned on a regular basis, but spray disinfectant is to be provided for members use if and when required.  Please do not use disinfectant wipes in the toilets, the drainage system is very old and these can block the toilets & drains if flushed away. If more spray disinfectant is required please inform a member of staff.

Doors: All doors will be propped open, including toilet access doors, this complies with government guidelines to help cut down on customer contact.

One Way System: After careful consideration of potential options, due to the club layout, and locations of the toilets, we have decided not to employ a one way system. However, please use common sense at all times and adhere to the guidelines, allow your fellow members adequate space to move safely. For example, if you are going to use the Gent’s toilets and someone is coming out, use opposite sides of the snooker tables to avoid unnecessary close proximity.

It is vitally important that we all follow the above guidelines and procedures as closely as possible. The local Police Force have already stated in the press that they will be keeping an extremely close eye on all bars and restaurants and will be strict on establishments and customers / members alike for any breach of guidelines. We simply cannot afford to jeopardise our trading license, as we all know what the consequences of that will be.

We don’t profess to be perfect, and we know that there might be aspects of the above instructions that we find don’t work. Please feel free to speak up, and if there’s a general consensus a change is required we’ll do it, Government guidelines allowing. By working together, we will ensure that MBC is a safe place that all our members can enjoy, and we can continue to build on our recent successes.

Thank you for your attention, thank you for your support and thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you very soon and hope you like all the improvement work that has gone on outside and inside during the lockdown. Hopefully you’ll be impressed, we’ve been busy!

The MBC Board of Directors.