Glasgow bar installs Perspex screens around private pods to encourage social distancing

Scottish establishment has prepared for eventuality of bars and restaurants being allowed to reopen

Ardnamurchan on Hope Street, Glasgow has created individual pods for customers so that the bar can reopen once lockdown restrictions on bars and pubs are lifted in Scotland (Mark F Gibson/PA Wire)

A Scottish bar has installed Perspex screens around private pods to comply with social distancing guidelines when bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen in the country.

Ardnamurchan bar, which is located on Hope Street in Glasgow, has undergone significant renovations during lockdown.

Licensee Neil Douglas has put 21 private dining and drinking spaces in the establishment, with Perspex screens put in place in between tables and around the bar.

Douglas hopes that the implementation of the screens will help the bar meet health and safety consultant approval, and thus be allowed to reopen when the Scottish government deems it safe to do so.

The bar will have a one-way system when it is permitted to reopen, in addition to infrared taps and toilet flushes and hand sanitiser for customers.

“We’re fortunate to have a large venue,” Douglas said. “We’ve taken out a third of our seating to separate customers and the layout will work whether people have to maintain a one or two-metre distance

“The private spaces will work really well and people will be able to pre-book the one they want.”

Douglas added that the private spaces in the restaurant are “perfect for families”, having tested them with his own children.

“They give the kids a bit more space than usual and naturally encourage them to stay close to their table,” he said.

(Mark F Gibson/PA Wire)

Douglas also owns Basils restaurant in Newhaven, Edinburgh.

The 17 members of staff at Ardnamurchan and the 11 employees at Basils were all furloughed during lockdown.

However, the workers have all received online training and will take part in inductions before the restaurants reopen.

(Mark F Gibson/PA Wire (Mark F Gibson/PA Wire)

Douglas explained that it took more than a month for the Perspex screens to arrive due to high demand, which is why he is glad they “got on the case and ordered quickly”.

“Our aim is to keep all the character and ambience of the venues and maintain a great experience for customers while providing the safety measures that many will want,” he stated.

“We’ll be ready whenever the go-head to reopen comes.”