It’s Quiz Night this evening, Wednesday 9 September, at The Retreat. Gather together your cleverest three friends and get along to The Retreat and have some fun with Mike Burt’s quiz.
Here are the details you need to know.
Are Pubs Affected by Yesterday’s Announcement?
The quick answer, for The Retreat, is no.
The announcement yesterday that people can only meet in groups of up to six was ambiguous with regards to its impact on pubs.
The good news is that a Government spokesperson this morning explained, “Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to have more than 30 people on the premises provided Covid-19 secure guidelines are being followed and other social distancing measures are still in place. This includes limiting those at a table to groups from a maximum of two households. Pubs and other hospitality venues are not subject to the 30-person limit because they have put measures in place to be Covid-secure.
The Retreat and Track & Trace
Brian Moignard, landlord of The Retreat, was a guest on the mid-morning on BBC Radio Berkshire with host Sarah Walker on Tuesday 1 September. He was being asked about how Track & Trace is working at the pub.
You can here is dulcet tones here >>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08ntw59 (from 1:39:12 to 1:41:37).
If the programme is not available, here is the clip:
It’s all happening in St John’s Street
Luke Kendrick heard about the refurbishment plans for The Retreat. Like a good neighbour, he didn’t want to let the street down and he set about decorating his own front door.
Our plans for the works at The Retreat should be finalised and agreed with the contractors next week. The project has already been approved by the Brewery.
At the moment, we expect to be closing in the second half of September for about four weeks. We will be able to provide more precise dates soon.
Preserving the Heritage
What work will be carried out? Well, we don’t want to give away too much at the moment, but the carpet is going, the toilets will dramatically change and there are many more things on the list as well.
We are proud that The Retreat is a Real Heritage Pub in the eyes of CAMRA and we will be ensuring that the essential character of the pub will be preserved.
Lost Property
If any of the clothing above is yours, now is a good time to collect it.
We’ve Been Moving The Furniture
Good news. We now have a couple of tables for four people in the back bar. After reviewing how the pub has been operating, it’s been decided that it’s appropriate to slightly increase the seating capacity and that has allowed us to configure the seating to allow for a couple of tables for four.
Takeaway Real Ale
You can now buy the real ales on tap at The Retreat in two-pint sealed containers to takeaway. Enjoy some great beer at home at a special price of £7 for two-pints.
This weekend we have Harvey’s Brewery Sussex Best Bitter, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale (HPA) and Butcombe Original…all subject to availability.
Remember, the off-sales are not to be consumed on the premises or immediately outside of the pub.
New Opening Hours for The Retreat
It’s great to have been able to open our doors and welcome lots of regulars again. Generally, things have gone pretty smoothly and we are now increasing our opening days and hours.
This weekend we will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From next week we will be regularly open from Wednesday to Sunday. Check our updated opening hours.
>>> Our real ales for the weekend.
Thank you to all the people that have been supporting our COVID-19 guidelines. These have now been adjusted and we are in a position to welcome children over 12-years old into the pub.
We Are Open This Weekend
Following our ‘see how it goes’ opening last week will be opening this weekend:
Friday 15 August, 16.00 – 23.00
Saturday 16 August, 12.00 – 23.00
Sunday 17 August, 12.00 – 18.00
Real Ale
Harvey Sussex Best and Butcombe Original will be on tap. As ever, the barrels aren’t bottomless, so they are ‘subject to availability’.
Guinness and Pravha will be on tap and many of the regular bottled beers will also be available.
Guidelines for Visitors
We are limited to 20 people indoors. See our Guidelines for Visiting The Retreat before you arrive.
Distancing guidelines are also important in front of the pub.
The Beer Will Be Flowing
Yes, real ale will be served this weekend at The Retreat, specifically Wye Valley Brewery HPA. We’re excited and we hope you are too. There’s lots to tell you, so here goes.
This Weekend
This weekend we will open for two days. This is a ‘see how it goes’ weekend. While our doors were locked, some maintenance was done to the pub and this is a trial reopening.
Space will be limited, but the Wye Valley Brewery HPA will be available for takeaway purchases as well.
Guidelines
Please see our guidelines for visiting The Retreat.
Our Hours Will Be:
Saturday 8 August 2020: 12.00 to 22.00
Sunday 9 August 2020: 12.00 – 20.00
Reopening
Saturday 22 August we will be reopening operating to our normal opening hours. These may be adjusted based on our learning this weekend and other circumstances. Check our opening hours.
Closing for Refurbishment
We have done some temporary work in the pub over the last few weeks which allows us to open the doors again but, as many of you know, we’ve been wanting to do a lot more and now we can tell you in outline.
The brewery has agreed on a capital expenditure plan to provide The Retreat with a much-needed refurbishment. Originally, we were targeting to do this in the first quarter of the year, but circumstances got in the way. This work will be to the benefit of everyone, but it does mean we will have to temporarily close again.
Therefore, we will be closing circa 13 September 2020 for a major refurbishment. The precise date is to be agreed with our contractors. We estimate the works will take around three weeks, but again, this is to be confirmed.
Updates
Please keep an eye on our website, Facebook or Twitter for updates on our plans.
Featured in the Reading Chronicle
Thank you to the Reading Chronicle, for covering the news about our listing as a heritage pub.
Here is their article: Reading pub The Retreat added to CAMRA’s heritage list