Dartford’s residents encouraged to ‘Support Your Local Shops’ as hospitality, entertainment and accommodation businesses welcome customers back inside

by | May 23, 2021 | Dartford Business, Dartford Council, Dartford News

This week Dartford businesses have been welcoming customers back inside for the first time this year, after the latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions on May 17th.

The latest phase of England’s roadmap out of lockdown means that pubs and restaurants can allow diners inside, while hotels, hostels and B&Bs can also reopen to guests.

To encourage residents to ‘Support Your Local Shops’, the Council visited six firms across the borough ahead of reopening.

Gurjit Randhawa, owner of Esquires Coffee in Dartford High Street, said: “Monday was long overdue.

“The lockdowns have been very, very difficult and it was a huge day, not just for businesses but for people in general.”

Tracy Watson, manager of The Wharf pub in Greenhithe, said: “I’m excited for customers to be able to come in and have a look at what we’re going to be able to offer now.

“The service is so different due to Covid-19, but everyone’s adapting to it.  The summer will be fantastic.”

Jemal Akkus, owner of Efes restaurant, said: “It’s been six months of going back and forth. We’ve been doing deliveries and collections. I’m looking forward to opening, six months is a long time. I can’t wait to have all of you back.

“If I could, I’d give all of you a big hug, but I can’t do that at the moment!”

Indoor leisure activities can also restart, meaning classes can resume at Fairfield Leisure Centre, along with sports such as table tennis and badminton.

Rachael Rawsthorne, Community Engagement Officer at Places Leisure, said: “We’re really looking forward to reopening, staff are really excited that classes are coming back and that indoor activities can restart.

“GP referral classes are coming back for anybody suffering from mental or physical health issues. We can help with the confidence of people looking to get back to the gym.”

The leisure centre is offering existing members a 14-day free trial to try out the new Covid-19 safety measures, while non-members can sign up for a tour.

Karthick Srinivasan, General Manager at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel at Crossways Business Park said: “We’re excited for guests to come here, relax and enjoy the hotel.

“With regard to Covid-19, we have measures in place encouraging guests and team members to keep their distance around the hotel. We have a lot of posters around highlighting key touch points, and when staff clean the rooms they put stickers up so that nobody else can enter.”

The Kut Hut in Copperfields Shopping Centre opened in April and continues to welcome customers back.

Ishmael Lloyd, a volunteer at the hairdressers, said: “We’ve managed to get through the first three weeks, it slowed down a little bit afterwards, but that was expected.

“People seem to be quite distanced as everyone’s quite unsure on what to do and where to go, but we’ve got a lot of policies inside the salon to keep social distancing.”

Businesses are eligible for Covid-19 support funding, for more information, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/Covid-19-information

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | FEBRUARY EDITION

The February edition of Dartford Living Magazine is out now. However, if you're unable to locate your free copy, here is the latest edition of Walking With The Darts: Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things...

MARVEL FANS ASSEMBLE!

CAPTAIN AMERICA SHIELD AND HULK HAND INSTALLATION COMES TO SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX BLUEWATER  Superhero fans heading to Captain America: Brave New World at Showcase Cinema de Lux Bluewater will get an extra treat, as an exclusive Marvel installation has...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET SARAH HILL

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Dartford FC Women attacker Sarah Hill featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article:...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DUANE OFORI-ACHEAMPONG

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Duane Ofori-Acheampong featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Since...

Ofsted praises “united and harmonious” Dartford primary school

Temple Hill Primary Academy in Dartford has been praised by Ofsted for being a “friendly and inclusive school” where pupils “value their education” and “aspire to do well”. The Ofsted inspectors judged the academy, which is part of The Golden Thread Alliance Trust, to...

NEW HOBBIES FOR A NEW YEAR, Sing, Strum or Sweat it out in 2025!

We continue to offer plenty of opportunities for the local community to GET INVOLVED with our weekly clubs, all taking place in Acacia Sports Hall, Dartford. We kick off the week with Chair Fit on Mondays, a fully accessible exercise class. Set to popular music, these...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET GABBY HOWELL

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dartford FC Women right-back Gabby Howell featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Gabby Howell signed for...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DEAN NAYLER

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dean Nayler featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Dean Nayler is another promising player to emerge from the...

Dartford Grammar School celebrates International School Award win on 25th Anniversary of the prestigious prize

Dartford Grammar School Head Teacher, Mr. Julian Metcalf, and their Head of Languages, Mrs. Donna Kane, were delighted to recently attend the 2025 International School Award Ceremony in Westminster to receive their reaccreditation certificate for this prestigious...

HARIBO UK announces date for Bluewater retail store opening

-          Latest HARIBO UK retail store set to open on 12 February 2025 -          Sweet confectionery leader’s 11th retail store will welcome shoppers with free...