We are still in uncertain times due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Things are starting to change though, and with it, there are talks of businesses being able to open their doors again and start trading the traditional way. This is great news for restaurants and cafes that have been struggling to keep businesses afloat during the quarantine. 

While experts are predicting that consumers' spending habits have changed during the stay at home restrictions, most of this focuses on the retail industry. Where consumers have been able to buy products online and have them delivered to their homes, however, any business that requires a client to come into a salon, a restaurant, or a bar, could see a very sudden and significant rise in foot traffic as the restrictions ease. You can’t socialize with your friends and enjoy your favorite foods with friends when you are on the internet. With this in mind, it's time to prepare your restaurant for the coming months so you can keep your customers happy. 

It’s important to remember that while restrictions are being lifted, there is still a pandemic going on. If we see a second peak in infections, then everything will go back to the extreme measures we have seen over the last few months. This could be detrimental to your restaurant if you are already in financial difficulties. So what you do now, will help make the transition and life with COVID-19 a little easier to handle.

First, you should protect your staff members. They are putting themselves at risk to ensure your business can still function. It’s essential to bring everyone together and discuss their concerns and worries about returning to work. Listen to everyone and invite some ideas to the table. Your team may have some brilliant ideas to help your customers feel safer when eating with you.

Make sure you have an excellent layout to help support social distancing. Restaurant hand sanitizer should be available to your customers and also to your staff. You should write a note which you include in all your menus and post on social media to update your customers of all the precautions you are putting in place. This will help to reassure them and bring them into your business. 

Get to grips with all the regulations that have changed since the pandemic broke out. You may find there are new health and safety obligations that you have, and if you don’t, you could be closed down. So please do your research and ensure everyone knows what they need to do. It may be sensible to have a week of training and cleaning before opening your doors. 

The next few months are going to be hard for everyone, but one this is for sure, consumers are ready to meet their friends and enjoy a happy and relaxed atmosphere while eating great food. So work hard to be safe, be clean, and be aware while giving the consumer an area that they can relax and let their hair down a little.