PUB chain Wetherspoon has detailed the stringent measures its put in place to keep staff and customers safe when they eventually reopen.

The company, which has two pubs in Chester city centre – The Square Bottle in Foregate Street and The Bull and Stirrup Hotel in Upper Northgate Street – and The Wheatsheaf in Ellesmere Port, says it is ready to open when it receives the go-ahead from the Government.

Social distancing measures will result in the employment of two full-time staff per pub – slightly more for bigger premises – who will regularly clean surfaces and touch points.

All of its pubs will have screens at the till point and there will also be screens used to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate the tables to the social distancing requirement.

Claire McIntyre, manager at The Square Bottle, said: "At present the Government have not confirmed any reopening date for pubs.

"However, it is important that we are prepared for any announcement.

"We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans.

"The safety of staff and customers is paramount."

Wetherspoon says it will provide gloves, masks and protective eyewear, although employees can elect whether to wear them or not, subject to Government guidelines.

On average there will be ten hand sanitiser dispensers around each pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff to use.

Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work. This will include having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.

Dedicated staff will monitor the pubs at all times in order to maintain social distancing standards and there will be a member of staff on the door at peak times.

The pubs will use one entrance with a separate exit door where possible.

Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers and there will be clear printed information providing guidance to customers as they enter the pubs.

Each pub will have a member of staff working full time (two staff per pub to cover all opening hours) to sanitise all the contact points during opening hours.

These will include door handles, allergen information screens, card payment machines and hand rails.

Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.

Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass and when ordered by the app they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed on the table using the base of the glass.

Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff.

The pubs will also offer a slightly reduced menu and will provide sachets (ketchup, mayonnaise, salt pepper etc), rather than their usual condiment bottles.

They will be open their usual opening hours.

All staff will receive a full briefing and training on the new way of running the pubs.