10 May 2021: As Wales heads ever closer to the easing of lockdown comes as music to the ears of those in hospitality, none more so than restaurant operators and owners who have had a torrid time over the last 12 months.

Prior to this, many in the sector have had to develop innovative ways to keep the stoves burning so that they could not only ride out the latest restrictions but make sure they survived before being allowed to fully reopen.

While outdoor hospitality was able to reopen on 26 April, not all venues were able to do so due to limited exterior space and has made 17 May vital for all in the sector when indoor dining and drinking can restart once again.

At the Cardiff Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill which is located at Hotel Indigo, the team have been working hard negotiating the ever-changing rules and regulations. So when hotels in Wales were allowed to welcome guests from 27 March the team jumped into action to devise a plan that meant they could serve food to those staying over.

Tom Gaskell, general manager said: “There’s no denying that the last 12 months have been the toughest ever known and has meant restaurants like ours have had to cook up innovative ways to keep serving.

“Once the hotel was allowed to welcome back guests, we put in place a simple but effective ‘In-Room Dining Experience’ which allowed those staying over the option to enjoy a meal in the comfort of their own room.

“The menu was overseen by Marco and it’s proved very popular. We even had Wales rugby star Liam Williams and his partner make the most of the offer.

“In my view, what lockdown has taught us is that we will all need to constantly innovate and come up with new ideas in terms of customer engagement. It doesn’t have to be overly complex in terms of what’s on offer, more what customers want and sometimes event the simplest ideas are the ones that work the best.

“Of course, nothing quite beats the experience of enjoying a meal out with friends and family and we can’t wait to be fully open, but the fact remains it’s the innovators that will come out of this the best. To that end we’re now ready and waiting with a new menu and fantastic list of drinks so that visitors and residents of Cardiff can enjoy a fabulous meal out, come 17 May.”

For further information please visit https://www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/our-brands/steakhouse-bar-and-grill/cardiff