The Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, one of the oldest hotels in the UK, will emerge from lockdown on Saturday, July 4.

It is believed that this is the first time that the hotel has been closed since it started trading as the Murtel Fish Inn during the 13th century.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager said: “We are all looking forward to welcoming guests to the hotel after this three month closure. It will also be very good to see our staff return from furlough. They have been keeping their spirits up with a whole range of activities from a baking competition, to a Zoom lunch and a virtual run between the Maids Head and our sister hotels, The Gonville in Cambridge and The Ship at Brancaster. We recently delivered a lockdown gift of Norfolk strawberries, clotted cream and chilled rose wine to our 90 staff who live across the county, from Norwich to Wymondham, Reepham and Gorleston. This resulted in some great feedback, Dawn said: ‘Lovely surpirise today, thank you Christine and the team, miss you all…’ ”

“We have also been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our guests and staff when we re-open. We have minimised touch points and brought in a range of measures to help reassure everyone that they will have a safe visit to the Maids Head.”

To contact the Maids Head Hotel t. 01603 209955, email [email protected] or see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk.

Preparations for Opening

The Yard Bar, with its magnificent 15th century fireplace, has been fully refurbished and will now be the main bar, with social distancing measures in place.

Thoughtful social distancing measures are also in place inall public areas including the lounges, the open air courtyard and the Wine Press Restaurant and conference and event rooms.

A customer journey video is being produced to help guests prepare for their visit.

In and out routes are in place and automatic entrance doors are being installed.

A thermal imaging camera will check guests’ and staff temperatures.

A new app will be available to ease the check in and check out process.

Infra red hand sanitiser units in place at all entrances and throughout the hotel.

Ongoing meticulous deep cleaning of all areas of the hotel: an electrostatic cleaning system has been purchased to deep cleanse all rooms and public areas every day. Bedroom doors will be sealed after cleaning. Bedding will be rested for 72 hours.

A knock and drop service will be available for all meals.

Health and safety champions appointed in each department.

Branded masks produced for staff to wear.

Work place assessments written and available on request for all areas of the hotel.

Running maps, picnic maps and Norwich maps offered for guests so they can explore the city.

Drophead Bentley available for trips in the city on sunny days.

Flexible cancellation terms.

The Maids Head Goes Dog Friendly

Three of the hotel’s executive bedrooms are now available for guests with a maximum of two dogsper room. Dogs are not allowed in the public areas, other than the courtyard.

Norfolk and Waveney MIND, Charity of the Year

Norfolk and Waveney MIND is the hotel’s charity of the year. The Hotel is offering 105 classic double rooms in July from as little as £105 bed and breakfast for two people, with £5 going towards MIND.

Team Maids Head

The Maids Head staff have been very supportive of each other during during lockdown and set up their own FaceBook page and challenged themselves to a weeklybake off, running goals, Monday quiz nights and had a staff celebratory lunch on Zoom. Head Chef Magic devised a Mexican bean enchiladas recipe for the Zoom lunch.