Make Board Cafe Bar Covid Secure

Aim: To continue offering a safe, social space, Board will need some major changes to the layout and operational aspects of our business.

We opened Board in August 2019 with the idea of creating a safe, inclusive and fun social space.  We had no idea just how much everyone would embrace it, and the diverse, amazing audience we would reach.  We have groups attending our social nights who would normally not go out.  Brave adventurers setting out on Dungeons & Dragons quests together.  Groups of friends using Board as a weekly hangout to see each other.  

We got off to a flying start, with some amazing theme nights, incredible seasonal parties and fab fun school holiday sessions.  In February 2020, after public nominations, we were awarded the prestigious Best New Business 

award at the Isle of Wight Radio Best In Business awards.

Sadly, as with everywhere else, we came to an abrupt close on 19th March due to the global coronavirus pandemic. 

However, unlike most other cafes and restaurants, the entire premise of Board is to socialise.  We aren't able to offer the Board experience with the current set up we have, and will need to make some major changes to be able to reopen successfully.

We've been extremely careful, budgeted to utilise the government grant and furlough scheme to ensure that there is a premises to reopen, and our amazing staff members will be there when we return.  We've worked like crazy while we were shut to ensure we have supported ourselves (cakes to your door anyone??) so we aren't looking for money to support the running of Board, but we are desperate to find a way to reopen.

Among other things, our plans to ensure a safe reopening include:

• Moveable clear partitions to create booths
• Enhanced PPE for our staff
• The availability of gloves and sanitiser for customers to change as frequently as they desire while playing games
• A new digital ordering system so food, drink and games are delivered straight to your table
• Expansion into our new, upstairs space, The Board Room, allowing us to remove seating downstairs and create more space between tables.Medical grade UV Sanitizer equipment to sterilise game pieces
• Purchasing multiples of popular games to allow a 72+ hour retirement after playing
• Installation of ventilation systems to allow air removal in the main café area

Unfortunately this all comes with a cost, and while we have worked hard to raise the money ourselves, we are currently around £4500 short of what we will need to complete everything to make the café viable as a covid secure environment.

We are aiming to open early August, but will be running a series of pre reopening events, effectively private parties where you book a ticket in advance by pledging £30 or more to us here!   For this you will get:

• A seat at one of our VIP events
• A 3 course meal, which you will be able to choose in advance
• A welcome drink of your choice
• Wine, beer or a soft drink during your meal
• Pre-booking of a game of your choice. 

We will also be running some prize draws and competitions at the event.

A pledge of £5 will get you a free gaming session, while £10 will get you a gaming session and drink of your choice!

We can’t wait to open and with your help hope to do this sooner rather than later!