How Signs have helped Businesses trade through the Pandemic.

Spotlight on business — The Chequers Inn — Burbage, Hinckley.

Sales Contact: Sue & David Hillyard

FB link: https://www.facebook.com/chequersinnburbage

How can businesses trade during the pandemic? What is the safest way to protect staff and public and safely run a business? To discover how local business the Chequers Inn, Burbage has managed to open its doors and start trading again, let’s look at one of the most effective safeguards that they have employed, which is the strategic use of signage through both of their businesses.

Pubs are allowed to reopen outside, which has many challenges, customers must order, eat and drink while seated at a table in venues where alcohol is served, they must follow the rule of six, or be in a group of any size from two households only, every customer aged 16 and over must check in with NHS test and trace, or provide contact details. When not seated — for example being shown to a table, or going to the toilet — customers must wear face masks (unless exempt) and observe social distancing.

The Chequers has undertaken a huge outdoor fit out which includes multiple socially distanced seating areas with outdoor heating, and an inviting outdoor catering facility, maintaining their excellent reputation for freshly cooked delicious food — proving that even in this most challenging business climate, you can still provide the great food, and the best pint in Leicestershire whilst maintaining the discipline to ensure Covid procedures are strictly adhered to.

To compliment Dave & Sues people management, they have used Nuneaton Signs to create informative and clear signage, which clearly instructs and advises patrons of their two pubs to adhere to the rules. Signage can not only instruct — but can help invite and promote the pubs good practice and re assure the public that they will not compromise on the safety of their staff and their customers. It has helped to way find, and inform what is expected of the customers, and where the boundaries exist for everyone’s safety.

Dave and Sue initially contacted Nuneaton Sign during the first lockdown, making preparations for the limited opening during 2020. With a remit to manufacture conspicuous but cost effective signage, we designed and manufactured entrance banners, notifying the public that the pub was open for business, then with Dave and sues input, we produced correx wayfinding signage.

This signage helped usher patrons into a safe area, socially distanced to either the garden bar and marquee, or external seating areas in both pubs. The signage help keep patrons socially distanced,

and the staff safe. Additional correx signage was supplied to ensure that visitors to both pubs used the NHS venue check in portal. This is still in effect today and is working well to encourage visitors to help with tracking and tracing.

We also supplied additional correx safety signage to make sure that children are supervised and accompanied by adults at all times, especially in the play area and areas where social distancing is imperative. The benefits of using these materials have been to ensure that clear and informative signage was manufacture, but also helped keep costs down. PVC banners and Correx are generally used as short-term materials, as their life expectancy is between 12 and 18 months depending on their use and position.

“The signs have been very helpful in keeping our business safe for the public and our staff” said Dave Hillyard of the Red Lion and Chequers. “Nuneaton Signs have provided a fantastic service and price — from design through to completion. The added value is that they are a social enterprise — which is has always been the main reason to push any business their way.”

As we slowly look toward the new normal, and we continue to enjoy the easing of lockdown, Nuneaton Signs will still be manufacturing all types of signage to help new and established businesses get back on track and put a stamp on their intention to succeed. Even if lockdown measures increase, you can always rely on Nuneaton Signs to provide the full range of Safety signs and bespoke signage on time on budget.