From today, UK pubs can get vital guidance on re-opening their premises following the lockdown, thanks to a partnership between the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and SafetyCulture.
BBPA and SafetyCulture have worked together to digitise a list of pub protocols that will help employees to carry out the essential risk assessments needed to re-open from 4 July, as per the government’s announcement.
The protocols reflect all of the official government guidelines announced earlier this week and have been compiled in one place, in a user-friendly app called iAuditor.
The app equips pubs with simple checklists for carrying out risk assessments, to help pubs ensure they are taking the necessary precautions for the safety of their staff and customers as they prepare to re-open, ensuring valuable time can be spent where it’s most needed – getting their business back up and running.
To support the sector, the app will not only be available to BBPA’s 20,000 members but will also be free of charge for any pub in the UK. Completing the risk assessment using iAuditor will be essential for businesses to obtain ‘We’re Good to Go’ status – the new UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark for tourism, launched by Visit Britain today.
Measures that businesses can assess with the app range from considering cashless payments and social distancing restrictions within the premises, to revising cleaning regimes for kitchens.
With the Government’s confirmation that pubs in England will be allowed to re-open their doors to customers from 4 July, there is significant pressure on the hospitality sector.
Concerns have already been raised by both the industry and the general public about the ability to re-open safely within this timeframe.
With many customers concerned about returning to pubs, pub owners and landlords are aware that they will need to be able to provide a safe environment in order to re-open and reassure their customers but, until Tuesday’s announcement, have lacked clarity about what steps to take.
Many are also already facing logistical challenges such as how to remove old beer, leftover from before lockdown, from cellars.
Dan Joyce, General Manager EMEA of SafetyCulture, said, “Pub culture is at the heart of British life and people can’t wait to see them back open for business – but there are also major and warranted concerns among customers, staff and owners.
'We need to support the 3.2 million people working in the UK hospitality industry to get re-opening right. The alternative could reverse the work we have done to stem the flow on COVID-19 and will be hugely damaging to the pub industry in the long-term.
“Reopening safely from 4 July is possible but challenging. The guidelines outlined by the government mean there is a lot of work for pubs to do before they can actually open their doors to customers.
'BBPA has stepped up to ensure pubs can digest the government advice quickly, and the iAuditor app will make the required risk assessments simple to complete.”
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said, “The vast majority of pubs in the UK are small, independent businesses that are in need of extra support as they begin preparations for re-opening.
'Our partnership with SafetyCulture will enable pubs to access the tools they need to undertake a thorough risk assessment efficiently and effectively.
'It is vital pubs demonstrate that they have adapted the physical environment and staff processes to enable safe socialising this summer. The risk assessment is the first link in that safety chain and SafetyCulture are world-leading experts in enabling these assessments.”
Pubs can sign up to the app and access the relevant checklists here:
https://safetyculture.com/bbpa-partnership/