It's the question many people have be asking; what will restaurants look like once they reopen on July 4.

Thousands of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers across England were given steps they can take to reopen safely over the coming weeks.

New Covid-19 secure guidance for the hospitality sector and hairdressers means businesses will be able to reopen in England from July 4, provided they meet government criteria for keeping staff and customers as safe as possible.

Basingstoke Gazette:

So what does that mean for restaurants in Basingstoke.

Well at Spices and Spirits in Kings Furlong Drive, it means a big overhaul.

Nitin Patil runs the popular eatery and told the Gazette exactly what has gone into making his restaurant Covid safe.

"It has been close to 4 months restaurant is closed and we have gone through a very rough patch," he said.

Basingstoke Gazette:

"But our guests who dine in with us are also looking forward to return. We can hopefully see happy days again as we are opening restaurant from July 4 with 50 per cent capacity only.

"We have made investments in arranging partitions/dividers, temperature gun, hand sanitisers, face covers and masks, head covers, virus cleaning aids, one time use menus, disposable good quality napkins and re-training the staff."

Basingstoke Gazette:

And pictures from inside Spices and Spirits really help paint that picture. From face shields for bar staff, to the dividers that separate tables from each, it is certainly not what many will remember.

"It will be new normal as we need to check temperature for each guest, write down their details like name and contact details as per new government. guidelines before we take them to the table," Mr Patil added.

Basingstoke Gazette:

"We plan to offer a small complimentary health drink to all dining in guests.

"Our service level may be little less than the best due to social distancing guidelines, for example we won't be able to take coats to the closet.

"Most of our guests hopefully will accommodate us and help us to run the business successfully."

Is your pub, restaurant or hair salon reopening this week and you want to show off your changes? Email riley.krause@newsquest.co.uk