First look at pub’s new £60k glass restaurant creating ‘inside garden’
The Anchor Inn restaurant in Nayland is opening 'The Orangery' tonight - to help keep the business afloat amid social distancing restrictions. Picture: THE ANCHOR INN - Credit: THE ANCHOR INN
An award-winning pub in Nayland is launching a Victorian-style glass house to help prepare for the winter months amid coronavirus fears – creating an ‘inside garden’ for its guests.
A glimpse inside 'The Orangery' which is opening at The Anchor Inn in Nayland. Picture: THE ANCHOR INN - Credit: THE ANCHOR INN
The Anchor Inn pub is launching the new glass restaurant, named The Orangery, from 5pm on Friday, October 2 alongside its popular dining pods which have become a huge success since opening this summer.
MORE: The Anchor Inn launches luxury ‘dining pods’ for guests who are shielding
Ross Parrock, who is the operations manager at The Anchor Inn, said the decision to invest in a new dining area is to keep the business thriving over the winter period.
“All pubs are relying on outside space,” he explained.
The Orangery at The Anchor Inn has been described by the owner as an 'inside garden' ahead of its opening. Picture: THE ANCHOR INN - Credit: THE ANCHOR INN
“We have reduced space inside the pub because of social-distancing rules so we thought we should utilise the amazing outside area we have that looks right over the river.”
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Over the summer, the pub recruited an extra 30 to 40 staff members due to its popularity and it is determined to keep these people employed.
Mr Parrock said the number of people who will be unemployed following the end of furlough is “tragic”, but the pub hopes its new extension will help keep staff on.
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The Orangery will seat up to 90 guests comfortably with the Covid restrictions in place, with tables centred around a huge oak tree decorated with fairy lights.
First look inside 'The Orangery' - the new venture at The Anchor Inn, Nayland. Picture: THE ANCHOR INN - Credit: THE ANCHOR INN
Mr Parrock said the structure is large, high and airy and thinks it will be the perfect way for customers to enjoy dining in an “inside garden”.
The windows are double-glazed, with a transparent PVC roof and The Orangery will boast its very own bar.
The new venture has cost the pub £60,000 to install and is decked out with plants, parasols and lighting to make it an experience for the customer.
Mr Parrock said the pub has been hit by the new 10pm curfew harder than he had anticipated.
“It has been really difficult,” he said. “I don’t think people have fully accepted the curfew yet, so everyone is booking tables for 8pm, which has been difficult for us as we just don’t have the space.”
Mr Parrock said he hopes people will start to come out earlier and enjoy the restaurant once the nights get darker.
The pub’s three dining pods will continue to be used alongside The Orangery, seating up to 36 people.
For more details and to book a space in The Orangery, see here.
