With new restrictions in place on bars, restaurants and hotels, many have been finding innovative ways to bring in revenue and stay in touch with customers..
Faced with a ban in place for the next two weeks on serving alcohol inside, along with a 6pm curfew on indoor premises, hospitality businesses have been taking to social media to unveil their creative responses.
Some – outside the central belt where licensed premises have been forced to close completely apart from takeaways – have transformed their gardens and outdoor areas into covered but open spaces where customers can enjoy alcohol until 10pm.
Others have announced alcohol-free offerings, new takeaway menus and more.
Here we round up some of the innovative solutions on offer.
Mocktails galore
Dean Banks, owner of Haar in St Andrews, has adapted his non-alcoholic offering by launching an alcohol-free drinks range to accompany his food at the popular Scottish eatery.
Our new Alcohol free drinks flight.
0% Scottish cider and lime leaf
Rhubarb and lime
Elderflower and Feragaia
Elderberry fizz and bitters
Coconut, apple and rum syrupI love how we evolve during these times. This will stay on forever for our non drinkers.
SINK OR SWIM 🏊♂️
— ChefDeanBanks (@banks_chef) October 10, 2020
The updated Scottish-inspired range, which ties in with the latest Scottish Government restrictions, includes; an alcohol-free Scottish cider and lime leaf drink, rhubarb and lime, elderflower and feragaia, elderberry fizz and bitters, and a coconut, apple and rum syrup creation.
The chef said that “customers have been loving it” and hopes its success will continue.
Burning the Alcohol away just as @NicolaSturgeon has asked. Full new drinks menu is live. Still tastes like rum…. pic.twitter.com/MausCcx5P5
— ChefDeanBanks (@banks_chef) October 9, 2020
Relaunching delivery services
In Bridge of Allan, celebrity chef Nick Nairn took to Twitter to announce his ‘Plan B’ – reopening his takeaway pizza offering – and then his Plan C which saw him add a gourmet menu option…
Ok folks here’s plan B. Takeaway pizza ( of the gods) 12-4 . Takeaway brunchy stuff 9-4 . Nicks at home , order before 1.30pm pick up 3-5. Not used to humility , but we would appreciate your support:) x pic.twitter.com/D6r5L3tgQr
— Nick Nairn (@NickNairn) October 9, 2020
PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA ….. now In BOFA 😍 pic.twitter.com/yXomU0AWEB
— Nick Nairn (@NickNairn) October 10, 2020
Under Plan C, from Wednesday Nick and his team will offer a full takeaway service from 4-9pm, Wednesdays to Sundays, and will also offer delivery for orders over £40 in Bridge of Allan.
Boy is it a fast changing environment , Plan B hasn’t quite hit the mark for Nick’s , so here is….PLAN C…from Wednesday we will offer a full on TAKE AWAY service 4 till 9 weds to Sunday and even delivery for orders over £40 bofa only .
So please share and help us survive :)! pic.twitter.com/AHE7a3zOXo— Nick Nairn (@NickNairn) October 11, 2020
In Newport, Jamie Scott, owner of The Newport Restaurant also relaunched his popular delivery service to support the restaurant and its limited opening hours.
He said: “We feel staying open is the best thing for the business and the team. I want to thank everyone who has come and supported us for the past eight weeks, we’ve been full pretty much every day and it has been amazing.
“We really need your support right now. We do have some outdoor seating but be sure to wrap up warm. We’ll be open for lunch Thursday to Sunday and if you can buy a gift voucher for a Christmas or birthday present that would help us immensely. We’re a young business that needs support from its customers.
“On Thursday and Friday we’ll have our three-course market lunch available alongside our tasting menu and will be available noon to 4pm. On Saturday and Sunday we’ll have our four-course lunch alongside the tasting menu which will not be available every day going forward until we get back to some normality.
“We’ll be bringing back The Newport at Home from Friday. It’s £80 for two people and consists of five courses with snacks and bread, and we’ll offer our meals for two which will change weekly. We’ll be offering local delivery and will do our best to get to those who are a little further, too.”
Reinventing outdoor spaces
The team at Balbirnie House Hotel are going all out Scandinavian hygge-style in their attempt to diversify amid the new restrictions.
Their third dining creation within four months, the new updated area is covered and boasts overhead or table-top heating. A BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) offering is in place to ensure guests can keep cosy while dining outside, and the full menu will include favourites such as fondues, fish and chips, royales with cheese and more. There will also be a full drinks selection available, too.
The courtyard space is open from noon.
Another restaurant adapting to the new restrictions is The Adamson in St Andrews, which launched a brand new outdoor dining area, allowing the restaurant to continue serving customers their popular cocktails and food.
Open from 12pm-10pm, The Adamson’s outdoor seating area is first come first served and cannot be booked in advanced.
