Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, Toby Carvery hits us with the worst. news. ever. Announcing changes to their restaurants ahead of re-opening this Saturday 4th July, the much-loved carvery chain has revealed that customers will no longer be able to help themselves to those delicious roasties and trimmings, completely banning guests from using the counter areas.
While it’s another blow to an already turbulent year, the new measures have been put in place for our own safety – allowing the restaurants to safely re-open and minimise contact between both guests and staff.
Toby Carvery confirmed in a statement: “We’re delighted to say that guests will still be able to enjoy their favourite roast just the way they like it, but we will reopen our carvery deck with our chefs serving the roast meats, vegetables and accompaniments.
“Similarly, the famous Toby breakfast will be served for guests by our chefs in the same way.
“Tables and the space around the carvery deck will observe the safe distancing guidance and we will ensure rigorous standards of cleanliness with hand sanitiser stations throughout the restaurant.”
The new changes mean that guests will still be able to go up to the counter to collect their grub, however, they’ll be unable to touch anything while they’re up there, with only the chef permitted to plate up food. And while this means we’ll be minimising the risk of catching COVID-19, it also means we’ll probably get judged when we ask the server to add more gravy for the third time.
Naturally, the internet has had something to say about it, with many general grumps taking to Twitter to moan about the changes. More Yorkshire puds for us, then!
Guests will be able to visit Toby Carvery again from the 4th July onwards nationwide, however, will be required to make a booking beforehand with their local restaurant, which can be done online. Guests will be required to follow social distancing rules in all restaurants, with new safety measures such as increased cleaning regimes, 2 metre (or 1 metre) distancing, perspex service screens and hand sanitation points throughout venues.
