The latest restriction lift information, provided by the Government, implies that plans to reopen restaurants, pubs, and cafés are accelerating. Ministers are reportedly targeting June 22 as the day they expect the restaurants will be able to open for outdoor services. The idea is to avoid as much job loss as possible and use the summertime to bounce back into shape. 

Unfortunately, cafés that wish to use tables on the pavement need an outdoor seating licence from their local authority, which is unlikely to be available for new applicants by June 22. Nevertheless, discussions regarding the approval time for an outdoor licence reveal that the Government might plan to speed up the process. 

The question remains: Will cafés be able to recoup their losses even if they are allowed to open in the next few weeks? The answer is likely to be a disappointing no unless coffee shops are willing to reinvent themselves. 

Offer a safe networking platform 

Working in a café is something freelancers, and independent professionals have been used to practising before the lockdown. It’s precisely because there’s an underlying professional acceptance for coffee shop work that Santander rolled out free co-working spaces and banking facilities as part of a work café network. Collaboration belongs in a relaxed atmosphere, which is precisely what coffee shops can deliver.

Tapping into the need for co-working spaces and collaborative environments, cafés could introduce small work booths that let people work in peace. The creation of a handful of work pods that preserve work privacy by shielding someone’s screen could help bring professionals back into the coffee shop. Why not roll out a pod booking and unlimited coffee service at a small fee? 

Encourage communities to work together 

During the pandemic, a lot of individuals have been left struggling to make ends meet, both monetary and mentally. Some have not been able to secure grants and fundings from the Government to protect their independent businesses.

Others have been left unemployed or furloughed, wondering how to make themselves useful. You could start a fundraising challenge inside your café. Indeed, by reaching out to various members of the community and unemployed professionals, cafés can encourage people to get together and work on a common fundraising project, such as building a pinball machine, for example.

Using wood- or metal work, mains neon indicator placement, and artistic design, the community can design a pinball game that represents the town or the local businesses. Holding the pinball machine in the café encourages players to visit the site, buy a drink, and play. All profits could go to support small businesses. 

Become a beacon of hope

Anxiety and depression are some of the feelings that people will be struggling to shake off at the end of the lockdown. Many individuals have already expressed their fears at the thought of going out of lockdown and regaining healthy coping mechanisms in society. Coffee shops can offer a safe bubble of self-contained normality to help people acclimatise themselves with post-COVID-19 life.

In partnership with therapists, cafés can consider launching therapy events to help individuals deal with their issues. Here, isolated pods can be used to keep difficult sessions private, while other clients can share a drink at a table and discuss their fears more openly. Café culture in the UK can be detrimental to rebuilding faith in social interactions and starting the economy again. 

Espresso workouts

Gyms are not ready to reopen in June, at least according to the latest government updates. But that doesn’t mean that people don’t need to manage their fitness routine. Many gym-goers have embraced running or home-based workouts to stay fit during the lockdown. For them, cafés can offer a slow return to normal by holding virtual fitness classes for a small, contained group.

Virtual classes are typically a favourite for gym clubs, as they generate profits without needing constant management. Cafés that have a back room that can be hired for parties, for instance, can repurpose the space for a small virtual class. By reaching out to local gyms, they can also help promote new programmes or offers that gyms are planning when they reopen. For a small fee, participants can enjoy a coffee and a professional workout.

Embrace and promote an ethical approach

More and more coffee shops have jumped on the sustainable and ethical bandwagon. For cafés that haven’t yet made the move towards a greener business, the reopening is the opportunity to promote social awareness and support positive causes, including wildlife protection.

More importantly, sharing with your customers your intentions to share a portion of your profits with local charities can also help keep the café busy from Day One.

Cafés need a strategic plan to make their reopening count as restrictions are being lifted. It makes no doubt that customers will be cautious about visiting public coffee shops. However, considering additional services, such as a safe cooperation zone or a ‘back-to-normal’ group therapy session can drive the buzz cafés need to survive.