WETHERSPOON has revealed a series of big changes set to be made at the George Hotel pub in Bewdley after the coronavirus lockdown.

Bosses have drawn up plans to reopen JD Wetherspoon pubs across the country, which include new social distancing measures to keep staff and customers safe.

At the George Hotel in Load Street, two full-time staff will be employed to regularly clean surfaces and touch points, while screens will be installed at till points.

There will also be screens between seating areas where it is not possible to separate tables far enough from each other, and gloves, masks and protective goggles will be provided to staff.

Employees will be given the choice on whether to wear them or not - subject to government guidelines.

There will be an average of 10 hand sanitiser dispensers around the pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff use.

Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm they are fit to work. This will include having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.

Dedicated staff will monitor the pub at all times in order to maintain social distancing rules and there will be a member of staff situated on the door at peak times.

Pubs will use one entrance with a separate exit door where possible.

Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers or barriers and there will be posters providing guidance to customers as they enter the pub.

The pub will have a member of staff working full-time - two staff per pub to cover all opening hours - to sanitise all the contact points during opening hours.

These will include door handles, allergen information screens, card payment machines and hand rails.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app wherever possible or pay at the bar using a credit or debit card and contactless - although cash will still be accepted.

Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and, when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass.

Food will be delivered to tables by a member of floor staff.

The pub will also offer a slightly reduced menu and will provide sauce sachets, rather than the usual condiment bottles.

The George Hotel will be open for its usual opening hours.

All staff will receive a full briefing and training on the new way of running the pub.

The pub chain says it is now waiting on the government go-ahead to reopen its sites.

Siobhan Rustom, manager at George Hotel, said: “At present the government have not confirmed any reopening date for pubs.

“However, it is important that we are prepared for any announcement.

“We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans.

“The safety of staff and customers is paramount.”