[ad_1]
For many restaurants, the Christmas dinner is one of the most financially important events of the year. After a rough spring, many in the industry are now looking forward to a good holiday season, even though this year will look different.
Due to the corona pandemic, restaurants are forced to adapt their Christmas tables to government restrictions on congestion and distance. But since the Christmas tables are not adhered to the 50 maximum rule, the hope for a busy Christmas season lives on, the wreath notwithstanding.
At Långbro Inn, it was decided early on, despite an uncertain start to the year, that the traditional Christmas table will be reinstalled this year. But for that to be possible, business changes are required.
The Christmas table will move to an outdoor tent so that guests don’t crowd inside the restaurant. The seats become more dispersed and the surfaces become larger. Mouth guards will be offered to those who so desire and the ambition is for the staff together with the guests to ensure that distances are kept, so that it never gets crowded in the buffet queue.
Fredrik Eriksson, owner of the Långbro inn, looks positive next season despite the circumstances.
– We know that the Christmas table will not be like previous years, but from day one we decided that we can handle this together, says Fredrik Eriksson.
Fredrik Eriksson from Långbro Värdshus already decided in March that this year’s Christmas table will be off.
Photo: Beatrice Lundborg
At the Långbro inn Bookings have started to drop and Fredrik Eriksson feels there is a high demand for Christmas tables. But since the restrictions mean that the restaurant won’t be able to accommodate as many guests as in previous years, they expect a reduction in the number of guests at the Christmas table.
– We believe we will lose about 20 percent of the guests compared to last year’s Christmas table. We have had to accept that 2020 will not be the most financially sound year, but we still feel successful, says Fredrik Eriksson.
But what restrictions Is that then the case of restaurants? According to the business association Visit, Christmas dinners are not counted as public gatherings and therefore are not affected by the 50 maximum rule.
– There are no restrictions on how many guests restaurants can receive, as long as there is no congestion, says Stefan Lundin, general counsel for Visit.
Serving the Christmas table in the form of a buffet is also not a problem, if it can be done according to the rules that exist to counteract infection.
– Restaurants must ensure that there is no congestion, guests must sit with their food and drink and must not stand at the bar. It is possible to implement the Christmas tables, but it will be different from previous years, says Stefan Lundin.
Read more: Restaurants that don’t follow congestion rules may close
