Throwing lessons in the studio: October 2020.
We’ve put together some general guidance and info on what to expect during your visit. If you’d like to read the seriously detailed risk assessment instead, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
We trust that you will be following the most current government advice. This is currently that you may only socialise with your own household, support bubble or other person specified by the government.
You can see all the most up to date info for our area here ➡️ www.gov.uk/guidance/north-east-of-england-local-restrictions
Preparing for your visit:
Firstly and most obviously, if you think you might be sick please stay at home. We’d much rather you drop us an email and cancel your visit than risk the health of our team and other customers by powering through a high temperature or a persistent cough. If we suspected any visitors may be displaying symptoms they will be discreetly asked to leave and all areas they may have contaminated will undergo a deep clean.
FACE COVERINGS:
We’re following government guidelines on masks, which means that you must wear a face covering when you enter the studio, they may only be removed if you are seated at a table to have a drink, or when you return to paint your pieces. You are required to wear a face covering when using the potters wheel, this is because if you are sick and fluid from your mouth ends up on your potters wheel while you are speaking, it may be sprayed around when the wheel spins, increasing the chance of infecting someone around you. Our pottery teacher will be wearing a visor at all times during your session.
If you would like to step outside after you have made your pot, you are more than welcome to use this as a chance to remove your mask.
This info does not apply to those who are not required by law to wear a mask.
Track + trace:
We will have a contact number/email for at least one person from each group, these details will be stored for 21 days to help with the NHS track + trace system. If you develop symptoms shortly after your visit please let us know so we can discreetly contact guests who were present during your visit. If possible please leave coats etc safely in your car.
We also have a QR code in shop for the Track + Trace app.
You must arrive on time for your booking:
Arriving more than 5 minutes early/late can get us in a bit of pickle as we might not have had time to clean your table, or might end up with too many people standing in the studio. If you are a bit too early you can go for a nosey around Fern Avenue Antiques while we prepare your table. Equally if you are running late please call to let us know.
What to expect During your visit:
We know people are at varying levels of social comfort so please do say if you’d like us to do anything to make your visit more comfortable for you.
How your session will run:
When you arrive:
Leave any additional belongings in your car/at home.
Please use hand sanitiser when you arrive + from then on please resist touching your face. If you’d like your phone out to take pictures with, please spritz some blue-roll with anti-bact + wipe your phone. This is available in the bathroom + by the main sink area.
You’ll be given a freshly washed apron to wear during your session, a fresh towel to wipe your hands on and a little bit of paperwork you’ll need to take a photo of on your phone.
During your session:
You will watch a demonstration from your pottery teacher. You’ll be guided to stand 1m away from the teacher, and from the other group. The wheel will be wiped down after the demonstration, ready to be used.
Before the session your pottery teacher will have centred a ball of clay on each wheel. The wheels will have been anti-bact-ed before + after.
You’ll be allocated a potters wheel, they are laid out to be well over 1m away from each other. You’ll notice the wheels in the corner of the room are 1m away from each other, so please resist turning around to talk to the other group.
You will have your own set of tools + water bowl. After you have thrown your pot, please use your sponge to soak up any water from the wheel, and squeeze it back into your water bowl, put your tools into your water bowl and move it all of it onto the table by your wheel.
Wipe your hands on the fresh towel provided and then spray your wheel with anti-bact.
You’ll then have a 5-10 minute break during which you can wait by the wheels or stand outside. Once outside the studio you can remove your mask. During this time your pottery teacher will centre another ball of clay for you using their own water bowl, and clean the wheel ready for you to make your second pot.
After your session:
You will repeat the process to remove water + tools from your wheel, place your towel + apron in the laundry basket + wash your hands in the sink using warm soapy water.
Social distancing within the studio:
🪑 The studio is very spacious, we’ve moved our tables around and had the tape measure out to check there’s at least 1m between tables. We’ll be making a conscious effort to keep at least 1m between us and you whenever possible, and we ask that you do the same. Please help us keep the studio clear by leaving large bags/coats in the car / at home if possible.
😷 Our team will be wearing either a mask or visor and will keep 1m+ away from you at all times, you must do the same. If you forget to keep your distance or pop your mask on we’ll give you a friendly reminder :)
🧴 There is hand sanitiser available on every table + most communal surfaces. Please clean your hands as soon as you’re shown to your table. You’ll have access to our communal materials + displays, but we ask that you clean your hands before and after you touch things and try not to touch your face to prevent cross contamination - we will be doing the same.
🚽 You are able to use the toilet during your visit. It is cleaned regularly and there’s cleaning supplies in there too for you to use if you’d like to give surfaces a wipe before you do your business.
☕️ You can order tea / coffee / sweet treats during your visit. Large menus are on display in the studio, rather than small menus on each table. We’re still BYOB if you fancy a tipple!
💸 When you’re finished your pottery experience, we ask that you pay by card to reduce the amount of cash we have to handle. If you do need to pay with cash we’ll give it a clean before it goes in the cash box to be given as change to another customer.
I think that about covers everything! If you have any questions before /during / after your visit about our covid-19 measures please ask us directly. We’re trying our very best to adapt our studio for this new world, whilst keeping the uplifting social and relaxing atmosphere that our visitors have come to know and love.
Look forward to seeing you soon Hazel + the pottery experience team xoxo
Below is the very serious and formal risk assessment as promised.
