[Update on current health issue]

Hello!

Other countries have started closing down small businesses like ours, but until the U.K. does the same, we are going to remain open whilst doing everything we can to protect the health of our customers and ourselves. The current health climate is rapidly changing and we are paying attention to government announcements and advice as they are released.

Despite not having a large footfall or crowded areas inside the teahouse, there are some new things that we are going to ask of customers when visiting us (we would also now more than ever encourage coming to the teahouse alone!).

New things that we are doing (from either last week or this week):

Washing hands and surfaces more frequently (including the card machine, door handles, table notes).
Moving from three platform tables to two to increase distance between customers.
Changing the way we prepare tea to minimise time spent in close proximity.
Removing items such as water carafes that customers from successive time slots may touch (we’ll fill water glasses as needed).

New things we are asking of all customers (mandatory from this week):

Wash/sanitise your hands when you enter the teahouse - sanitiser is by the menu and sinks with hot water and soap are inside and outside the bathroom.
Remember to cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow - we’ll provide a tissue box and bin for each table.

These precautions may seem excessive to some or not excessive enough to others, but we believe they demonstrate that we are putting our customers’ health and our own health first, and want everyone to feel comfortable visiting us during this tough time.

If you are unwell, are self isolating or don’t feel comfortable travelling around Manchester and want to cancel an upcoming reservation - please cancel more than 24 hours before your reservation and email or message us about this and we will refund £9 of the £10 deposit. We are charged by the online payment company as soon as the payment is processed and cannot be refunded, therefore we cannot refund the full deposit. We hope everyone understands and appreciates this.

To allow us to survive as a business whilst maintaining everyone’s safety, we are considering options such as reducing sit in time slots and implementing a pre-order collection service during the rest of our normal opening days and will make a decision in the coming days/weeks. Being such a niche business suggestions are welcome!

We wish everyone a good week ahead and are sending lots of love to all the other small businesses affected by this. Stay strong!

Cha-ology

P.S. If you would like to support us while you are staying inside, we are currently offering free delivery within the UK for tea and teaware orders over £40. Thank you again for your continuous support to our small business.