Restaurants Reopen: Royal William Yard back in business

As the Chancellor announces a major new initiative to give diners a half price discount when they eat out in August, it comes at the perfect time as popular waterfront destination Royal William Yard announces that more restaurants, cafes and bars have now reopened – and are making it easy for visitors to dine safely.

The new ‘eat out to help out’ initiative will give customers money off – up to £10 each – when they eat out from Monday to Wednesday during August at participating venues. The discount can be used unlimited times on these days when dining in.  

Coming at just the right time, the vibrant hospitality scene at Royal William Yard is back in business, with the business community welcoming customers back. All of the Yard’s restaurants have outdoor seating, allowing visitors to enjoy alfresco dining and variety of open spaces with fresh air with stunning views of the lawn, marina and waterfront.

Below are the venues now open at Royal William Yard and a snapshot of how each are operating. There is  a new ‘Re-opening’ section on the website that provides more detail so visitors can plan ahead and understand what to expect:

• Bistrot Pierre: one of the first to reopen in the country, both the restaurant and its boutique B&B, Rooms Bistrot Pierre, are now open making the Yard a great staycation location. New measures including cashless payment, fewer tables and extra staff training have been introduced to the restaurant, which is now open daily from 8am-9:30pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Seco Lounge: reopened this week with a new summer menu. One new innovation introduced is an app and QR code on the new menu that enables you to order and pay on your phone. There will be less seating to allow for social distancing, extra cleaning, health checks and masks for staff. Takeaways are also available.
• Wildwood: now open for dining in, takeaways and delivery. There are new opening hours in place (check out its website for the times) and tables are arranged indoors and outside to allow social distancing. There is also a relaxed waiting area for collections.
• Wagamama: open for takeaway and delivery. The click and collect and Deliveroo options have proved popular through the lockdown, and plans are afoot as Wagamama begins reopening its branches, to enable dining in soon.
• The Hook & Line: the new seafood restaurant opened during the lockdown and has gone from strength to strength. It is now open from 10:30am for pastries and coffee, before offering a lunch and dinner menu. Meals must be pre-ordered and a collection time arranged by phone (01752 265374) or via Facebook Messenger.
• Steel Brew Co: another lockdown business that launched and built a loyal clientele before the doors opened, this microbrewery has opened its doors this week for takeaway purchases. Open 12pm-6pm, Wednesday to Saturday, no appointment is necessary. Local deliveries are also still running.
• Le Vignoble: the winebar has reopened and is continuing its popular delivery service, introduced during the lockdown. Customers are asked to call (01752 222892) in advance to book a table. No indoor seating for now, so it’s drinks all fresco (bring a blanket and dress for the weather!).
• Still to come… Prezzo is set to reopen on 16^th July; bringing Italian dining back to the Yard. Booking are now available on its website.

With safety paramount right now, there are new measures in place both in Royal William Yard and the individual businesses to ensure visitors can enjoy their visit safely. The team at the Yard has been working hard to ensure visitors can enjoy the open spaces and feel safe in the public access areas. In some areas, visitors are asked to stay to the left hand paths, while in others they are encouraged to stay alert and maintain social distancing.

Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash, said: "This is the day we have been waiting for; our restaurants, cafes and bars back open and welcoming visitors back to the Yard. It’s great to see how the businesses have adapted and introduced new ways of working such as app ordering, contactless payment and space planning to enjoy dinning safely. 

"Once you’re here, the Yard is every bit as special and inviting as ever. Our open air setting is perfect for those wanting fresh air, a scenic drink, or an open air meal in a safe and unique place. Visit our website for the latest information to support planning your visit back to the Yard. 

"The restaurants join our retailers and service providers in reopening, with YOKE The Salon and Identity Fashion back in action. We are also pleased to see business back on the water too! Plymouth Boat trip ferry service, South West SUP and ACE Swimming are all operating once again, meaning Royal William Yard is getting back to normal on sea and land, with plenty for visitors to rediscover."