With hospitality reopening today (outdoors only) restaurant operators from across the country, have revealed booking stats along with other insiights. Numbers are looking extremely strong with thousands of bookings flooding in across the board - from London to Cornwall, Yorkshire and beyond.
Some encourage advance bookings only 'to help with track and trace and management flow', some are fully booked across all sites, and some are focusing on their efficient air flow systems that replace all the air inside the restaurant 21 times an hour, every hour.
Arros QD, LondonOutdoor areas: new terrace on Eastcastle Street (parallel with Oxford Street)
Bookings for opening week: fully booked on Monday but a few tables available on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially at lunchtime
How many people is that? Around 644 people coming through the doors this week
Space for walk-ins? We're trying to encourage bookings in advance as it helps with track and trace and management, but it's always worth calling in.
Iberica, London Outdoor areas: La Terraza & Victoria
Bookings for opening week: Both sites are looking busy although not quite fully booked yet, sitting at around 85% occupancy, up to 90% on Friday & Saturdays
How many people is that? Around 1,500 currently during opening week, we've seen a lot of birthday celebrations booked in and many tables of 6 making the most of the maximum limit of people. Space for walk-ins? Yes absolutely
Marcos Fernandez Pardo, Managing Director Arros & Iberica, said, 'At both Iberica and ArrosQD that we prefer people to book as it will help with the track and trace as well as the management of flow in the restaurant.
'We strongly believe in not letting our guard down until we are well out of the woods, something that is easier for us because of the size of our restaurants, with high ceilings and efficient air replacement systems that replace all the air inside 21 times an hour, every hour.'
'Finally we are back to talking about food, service, joy, happiness, smiles. April is a dress rehearsal for what we hope will be a May definitive opening. I hope that we take the steps to make our restaurants safe in time for winter.'
Marcos Fernandez Pardo, Managing Director Arros & Iberica
The Stafford LondonOutdoor area: The Courtyard, The American Bar
Bookings for opening week: Fully booked and 90% for the rest of the week. Fridays and Saturdays for the next six weeks are full
How many people is that? 1000 covers on the books for the first six days of trading
Space for walk-ins? Yes, 10% of occupancy has been reserved for walk ins
Stuart Procter, COO, said, “I’m personally delighted to being re-opened and can't wait to do what we do best! Sll the team have worked hard behind the scenes to ensure we are ready to serve at the highest level. Let's hope the sun shines on the hospitality sector as we certainly need it.'
D&D LondonOutdoor areas: 20 Stories, Angelica, Bluebird Chelsea, Bluebird Cafe, Butlers Wharf Chop House, Cantina del Ponte, Coq D'Argent, East 59th, Fish Market Terrace, Fiume, German Gymnasium, Issho, Klosterhaus, Le Pont de la Tour, Madison, New Street Grill, Orrery, Paternoster Chop House, Plateau & Radici
Bookings for opening week: Fully booked across all sites
How many people is that? The numbers look amazing, like nothing they've ever seen before. They have over 90k bookings for the terraces which have a combined capacity of 1000 covers
Which is proving to be your most popular venue? The likes of Bluebird, German Gym have naturally all been very busy but then Butlers Wharf Chophouse on the river, has been hugely in demand. Plus they opened the bookings for the brand new 14 Hills terrace in the City, last weekend and had 2000 bookings in 24 hours
Space for walk-ins? - Yes all restaurants are keeping a proportion of tables back for walk ins but each differ
Des Gunewardena, CEO and Co-Founder D&D London, said, 'I'm delighted at the response we've seen regarding reservations for reopening week and onwards. We're basically fully booked for the whole week, let's just hope the weather holds out!
'We're launching the 14 Hills roof terrace this week coming for the first time which is something I'm particularly excited about. The views across the city are stunning, such a beautiful spot for dinner and drinks with long lost friends. I know the staff are ready and raring to go, fingers crossed all goes to plan.'
The Langham, LondonOutdoor area: The Wigmore Summer Terrace & Garden
Bookings for opening week: Fully booked
How many people is that? 200-260 each day, 1600 for opening week and 400 for April as a whole
Space for walk-ins? - Yes there are some tables kept for walk ins and they will try to accommodate as many people as possible
“We're delighted that the first step towards the reopening of The Langham, London will be the launch of The Wigmore Summer Terrace & Garden - a new addition for 2021. The reaction from our customers so far has been incredible, we're fully booked for the opening week and subsequent reservations are looking really positive. Above all else, we're incredibly excited to welcome guests back in person and do what we do best.”
Nicholas Davies, Hotel Manager
Grantley Hall, YorkshireOutdoor areas: Norton Courtyard and EightyEight Terrace
Bookings for opening week: Fully booked on Monday for the Norton Courtyard. The EightyEight Terrace opens for dinner on Wednesday and is also fully booked
How many people is that? In April there are 1279 covers booked on the Norton Courtyard and 321 on EightyEight Terrace.
Is there space for walk ins - Yes, however for both terraces, they are over 90% full on weekends with more availability midweek
Andrew McPherson, General Manager, said, 'We are so excited to be reopening next week and are looking forward to welcoming back our guests. We are very fortunate to have two beautiful spaces for outdoor dining in which we have covered and put in additional heaters to prepare for the Great British weather.
'We all have our fingers crossed for some lovely weather but we are confident that we can still deliver a magical dining experience even if the sun isn’t shining. We’ve had a phenomenal response in terms of bookings and we can’t thank our guests enough for their support during our closure period.'
Rick SteinOutdoor areas: Sandbanks, Barnes, Winchester, St Petroc's Bistro, The Cornish Arms, Stein's Fish & Chips and Fistral
Bookings for opening week: Fully booked in Sandbanks, but tables still at the Bistro, Cornish and Barnes
How many people is that? We have over 5000 people booked to join us for outdoor dining in the first week
Space for walk-ins? - Yes there are tables kept for walk ins across all sites. They don’t take reservations in Fistral or Stein’s Fish & Chips in Padstow so it's first come first served
Jack Stein, Chef Director, said, 'I’m so excited to get a few of the kitchens and outdoor areas back open for business and crossing everything for great weather! We’ve got strong booking numbers for the opening week and building up to indoor dining also coming back, hopefully we see customer loyalty with bookings and no issues with no shows. Here’s to a good summer!'
