Luna Bar reopens today for table service under phase four restrictions.
After 79 days of closure, reopening is welcomed wholeheartedly.
‘Until next Saturday you still can’t go to the bar, and we have tables and floor markings. We are fully booked on Friday and Saturday already which is great, excluding a few spaces early on Friday,’ said owner Alex Lock.
‘Since the announcement I’ve been running around trying to do things. It was partly expected as we received the States of Guernsey text message, but I wasn’t sure what exactly it meant or whether any guidelines would be in place.’
Businesses seem used to moving at Covid-speed, much like the States.
‘Music events are booked in, we have Garfield Brown at Luna for a garage night on Saturday, and Rave.era are booked in for two Saturdays’ time. Fully re-opening Fusion next week makes my life a lot easier. Sanitary stations will still be in place which we will continue to encourage.’
Fusion and Luna will reopen within usual hours, or slightly earlier at 10.30pm.
‘For the next few weeks I do expect it will go mental.
‘We are very cautious not to encourage drinking, but we will keep our free entry before midnight offer to get people in. Already we have extra staff and security to ensure safety.
‘Our capacity is 460 people, and we need as many in as possible after having zero income for 70-odd days.’
‘Thank you to the States for doing such a good job to get us back in business earlier than expected. Thank you also to our landlords for their support throughout lockdown.’
Also looking to re-open as soon as phase five kicks in is Oaty and Joey’s Playbarn at Oatlands.
Co-director Chris Coles said he was delighted Guernsey has got to this position and hoped islanders would be encouraged to support local businesses as they re-open.
‘Other businesses in Oatlands Village have already seen their loyal customers returning and I think people are keen to support local.’
Oaty and Joey’s closed to the public a week before lockdown was announced as there was a general feeling of cautiousness about the virus at the time.
‘Phase five has come ahead of time in terms of our worst fears for the business, and I hope Guernsey’s efforts will enable businesses to survive what has been a very difficult time.’
Co-director Gareth Griffins said the company had used the downtime to launch Oaty’s food delivery service, which has proved popular and will continue on weekends in the future.
‘We’ve also taken the time to refurbish the old jungle house and we look to open it as ‘The Farm House’ home and lifestyle shop on 1 October this year, which is all very exciting.’
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