What we’ve done to make our space safer
The Art House is following the guidance from the WHO on operating food service, events and a safe workplace to ensure a high level of safety for our cafe events, performances and groups. Our staff are all independently trained in Covid safety procedures and asked to take regular lateral flow tests, which we provide. Any crew who test positive for Covid are paid sick leave to self isolate until they test negative.
We are certificated by Visit Britain’s ‘Good to go’ and the Nationwide Caters Association for Covid safety.
Our performance events and larger gatherings are now held downstairs. The high ceiling and new extraction system makes for good ventilation and there is more space to social distance, as well as the option to step outside if you want to take a break. We open doors front and back, weather permitting, all the time that performances aren’t going on which allows an excellent airflow through the space.
During our community cafe events:
Tables are placed to give everyone plenty of space, doors are kept open if weather permits and an air extraction system is running to circulate new air into the space constantly. We are a mask positive space, so you can wear a face covering if you wish. We ask that all customers and crew respect personal space and seek enthusiastic consent for any close contact.
During our performance events:
We continue to keep our event seating flexible for most events, allowing audience members to stand or move chairs apart to facilitate distancing – as long as accessibility and fire safety works too! We are a mask positive space and you are very welcome to wear a face covering if you wish.
Show times are limited to 3 hours with as many breaks as possible to allow us to open doors and allow fresh air through. We’ll be doing this until scientists say it is safe to stop! It is wonderful to be able to have live performers back in the House, but we’re taking every precaution to make sure there is minimal risk. We also are live streaming most events so that those who aren’t able to attend in person can still join in.
The Art House is taking the following measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread:
* Numbers inside are limited during cafe events and outdoor seating is available when the weather permits
* Hand sanitiser is available at key points througout the building
* Enhanced regular cleaning of loos & high touch areas is in place
* Limiting start and finish time for all events – we ask that participants do leave at closing time to reduce contact time and enable our staff to clean up safely.
* We’ve fitted ventilation in the space to ensure regular air circulation
Any bookings, room hire fees etc are fully refundable if you test positive for Covid.
Our crew are taking regular lateral flow tests provided by us, isolating if they test positive or have symptoms and we ask all performers and facilitators to do the same. We operate a policy of paid time off to self isolate, to encourage our paid crew to stay home if they test positive.
Most of our performance events are live streamed so that those unable to mix indoors are able to watch from home – tickets for these are on a pay-as-you-feel basis and are free to Patreon supporters.
We ask that you:
Not come to any event if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive.
The Art House is a mask-positive space, if you wish to wear a face covering, please do. We also have disposable face coverings available on request.
We encourage all of our visitors to take a lateral flow test before coming to an event (we do not ask for proof of this) as an additional way of keeping all of us safer.
Please respect others choice to mask and socially distance, which may differ from current guidance/law and from your own preference and always seek clear, enthusiastic consent for any physical contact or closeness.
Anyone not respecting others space and social distancing boundaries after being asked to do so, will be asked to leave.
