Scarborough RUFC all set to re-open Silver Royd

While rugby activities aren't able to get underway yet and the club's gym, Squash Academy and indoor sports facilities must remain closed until further restrictions, Hartley's Bar and the club's outdoor services are ready to re-open.

An email to club members, club chief executive Graeme Young said: "At long last we are able to write to members, friends and supporters with some good news regarding the reopening of Silver Royd.

"Following HM Government's announcement earlier this week regarding the hospitality industry, we are delighted to inform members that the doors to Silver Royd will reopen at 9am on Saturday 4th of July.

"We have been planning for this moment for several weeks now and I'm pleased to inform you of some of the decisions we have taken to ensure that a safe but vibrant welcome awaits you.

"In the first instance we will be opening Hartley's cafe-bar with an inside offering, fully compliant with the latest COVID-19 guidelines.

"However, we feel we are uniquely placed with the benefit of our 32 acres of land to offer an amazing outdoor al fresco dining and hospitality experience.

"To maximise the utilisation of the outside area, in light of the inclemency of the British weather, we have invested in an impressive marquee which is situated on the lawns to the rear of Hartley's."

"To complement the marquee and all the outside lawned areas, the mobile bar will be located conveniently to create an outside experience which we believe will be unrivaled in Scarborough. In addition the "22" Bar adjacent to the beer garden will also be open selling takeaway hot and cold food and beverages.

"All told the plans we have put in place will offer a very wide and diverse range of opportunities for indoor and outdoor dining and hospitality.

"Large parts of the playing fields will be made available for family recreation and consumption of takeaway food and drink from the outside units.

"Needless to say all guidelines on social distancing and group sizes and interaction must be adhered to at all times.

"In the first instance none of our upstairs operations will be opened for practical reasons. However, this may not necessarily be the case for long.

"We will however be offering Gill's legendary Friday night bar meals in the alternative settings downstairs. Furthermore, a range of themed food evenings will be hosted in the marquee, Hartley's and outside areas. Contact has been made with some local chefs and discussions are underway regarding invitation evenings for dining in the marquee."

In regards to a return to rugby action, the email added: "In respect of rugby, Mike Holder and his team are following very closely both HM Government announcements and RFU advice.

"A road map is in place and Mike is keeping all coaches informed of the situation. At this stage we have no idea when the rugby normal, full contact rugby training will commence.

"Things seem to be unwinding at an ever increasing pace so what seems unlikely today might seem very different tomorrow.

"We have been asked several times when we think the rugby season will start and our honest answer is we don't know but we consider it's unlikely to be at the usual time in September.

"Some time ago the thought was it may not be until the January 2021 however, that now seems overly pessimistic. Our current, most likely and realistic scenario planning works on an October restart but this will be amended as more information becomes available.

"We would like to thank everybody for their patience and understanding during this difficult time for the country, businesses, families, individuals and of course Scarborough Rugby Club.

"It's great to finally have something optimistic to focus on and we very much look forward to seeing all of you on or sometime after Saturday 4th of July."

The club are also working hard to be in a position to re-open their Barons Fitness operations, with more news to follow on that soon.

Young added: "We are very mindful that gym members are eager to use Barons Fitness facilities as soon as possible; no doubt members will be keeping a close eye on HM Government announcements in the same way that we are.

"Strategic Development Director Andrew Hoff is working with key members of staff to devise some interim arrangements.

"As an initial step we plan to start offering free outside small-group training sessions to those members who have stuck by us during this difficult time.

"Again, these will have to adhere strictly to current social distancing guidelines but we hope to be able to offer these beginning on Monday 6th of July.

"Details will be sent out prior to this date directly to gym members who have kept their membership active.

"The gym is currently being made COVID-19 secure and we are fortunate once again to benefit from very large facilities enabling us to use the sports hall, classes studios and other areas for multiple uses.

"We are extremely confident that when the gym is permitted to reopen will be able to offer a complete range of services to our entire membership in an extremely safe environment."