Last week, as an end of school term treat, we had our first eating out experience post lockdown - and i have to say, it wasn’t as scary as I’d imagined it would be.

We played it safe and went to one of our favourite places in Stratford upon Avon - Hooray's British Gelato Kitchen.

I rang and booked a table in the morning, just to be safe as I know they get busy. I had to give my name and contact number and was talked through the new safety measures that they have in place.

On arrival, take away orders have to use the right hand doors and eat in people have to use the left hand doors. You have to wait to be seated. If you haven’t booked a table then you just have to give a name and phone number for contact tracing purposes.

There are no physical menus on the tables, you have to view them all online on Hooray’s website so remember to take your reading glasses if you wear them. I will include photos of them all. They have free WiFi so you’ll be able to get online easily.

All orders are taken at your table so no going up to counter like you normally would.

You’re asked to remain in your seats unless you need to pop to the toilet. I was dreading this bit as my two are not known for staying still and in one place for very long! They totally surprised us though and actually stayed put. It helped that the play area has been removed and there is now a table in that area.

Downstairs there are only 3 tables so it was nice and quiet and was easy to keep your distance. I’m not sure how many there are upstairs as we didn’t go up.

All payment is taken at your table and all staff are wearing visors.

It all felt very safe and as I said before, wasn’t as scary as I anticipated.

Thank you Hoorays for easing us in to the new normal way of eating out so gently.

Please remember to support your local independents. They’re the ones that kept us all going through lockdown.

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