Reopening The Athenaeum

The Institution will commence a phased reopening from Monday 13 July, details of this can be found below. For the time being the Club’s opening hours will be 11:00am to 4:00pm and will be under constant review.

It is with great pleasure that I am now able to announce that The Athenaeum will begin the first stage of its phased reopening starting next week from Monday 13 July. Full details can be found below, but I can confirm that the Club’s opening hours will be 11:00am until 4:00pm for the time being and will be under constant review.  

The world has been turned upside down over the last few months, and many members will be keen to begin reusing the Club and return to some form of normality, whilst other members may be more cautious, and this is entirely understandable. Some of the measures being taken to ensure the Club is safe for all are highlighted in the ‘Notable Changes’ pdf which has been circulated by email.

The Athenaeum and its staff are doing everything they can to protect the safe environment we have at the Club, and my thanks go out to all the staff and Committee members who have contributed to the ongoing reopening process. However, there is also a requirement for you, the membership, to help keep our Club safe. I therefore ask everyone to follow the procedures and protocols that will be introduced so that we can give confidence to all of the members that the haven that closed in March, is even safer upon reopening.  

Lastly, thank you for Membership’s continued support of our much-loved Institution. The General Manager and his team are excited to welcome you all back to the Club very soon (in a socially distanced fashion of course!).  

Yours sincerely,  
Gaynor Bresnen
President  

Phase 1: Monday 13 July, Reopening of the Library

From next week the Library will reopen to the membership on an appointment basis between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm. To book an appointment to attend the Library, please email reception@theathenaeum.org.uk with your preferred date and time.

Phase 2: Monday 20 July, Reopening of the Newsroom

The Newsroom will reopen between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm. There will be no requirement to book and walk-ins will be accepted, although if you know you are attending the Club it would be greatly appreciated if you could notify reception@theathenaeum.org.uk or call on 0151 709 7770 in advance.

As per government guidelines, the service in the Newsroom will consist of table service with guests being seated upon arrival. Cold sandwiches and hot and cold beverages will be available to order.

Newspapers and magazines will not be on display for the time being, and an alternative solution, potentially some form of a tablet which can be easily sanitised, is currently being investigated.

Again, as per present guidelines, social gatherings indoors are restricted to groups of two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household), although this does not need to be the same household each time. In view of this, it is advised that should you wish to meet up with a fellow member in the Club this is organised in advance.

Phase 3: Monday 27 July, Reopening of the Dining Room

The 3rd phase will commence on Monday 27 July, with the Dining Room opening for lunch service between the hours of 12:30pm and 2:00pm. Bookings are required in advance and for the time being no Club table will be in operation.