Thank you

Welcome back to the Geese and Fountain!

It’s been a strange few months, but now we’re open again, we have three special offers for customers coming back to the pub this month. 

Welcome back meal deal

Firstly, our ‘Welcome Back’ meal deal, which is available whenever we’re serving food on Mondays to Saturdays during August, offers you a two course meal from our regular menu (either Lunch or Dinner) and a complimentary drink for just £20 per person.

Download the lunch or dinner menu and then call us on 01476 870350 to book.

Eat Out To Help Out

Secondly, we are taking part in the government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme, which means that on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August the government will pay half your bill – up to a maximum of £10 per person. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but pretty much everything else is. So whether it’s a three course dinner or a quick coffee and a flapjack the government will pay half, up to the £10 limit. You can use the scheme as many times as you like, so come for morning coffee, lunch and dinner in the same day – and save £30!

You can even combine these two offers together – and get a two course meal with a free drink for just a tenner! Order the ‘Welcome Back’ deal on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, and we’ll apply both offers, and charge you just £10.

Download the lunch or dinner menu and then call us on 01476 870350 to book.

Summer Staycation: One-night Holiday for £80

Thirdly, we have a very special ‘summer staycation’ offer. A night’s stay in one of our comfortable double or twin rooms, complete with dinner (two courses, options including specials) and a complimentary drink, and then a fabulous ‘Full English’ the next morning, for just £80 all-in. It’s the best value one-night holiday you can imagine.

The offer is available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights throughout August, except August 31st. Offer is subject to a room being available. Full details available on request, please call 01476 870350 to book in.

American Express Shop Small – get a fiver back too!

As if these offers weren’t amazing enough, you can also get a £5 cash refund to your card account if you pay us by American Express at the moment. They have a promotional campaign called “Shop Small” which means if you spend £10 or more in a suitable small venue, American Express will refund you £5. So combine our Welcome Back deal, the Eat Out To Help Out scheme and the American Express Shop Small offer, and get a two course meal including a free drink for just £5!

For more details see: https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/benefits/shop-small/

And the beer is better than ever

It’s been a long and very strange three months of home deliveries, veg boxes and off-sales only, but we’re delighted to have the doors of the Geese and Fountain open once again.

Please book your table in advance if you can. Come to the front door when you arrive, and we’ll explain the new arrangements. All drinks and food will be served at your table. See below for full details.

Hours

We are taking it slow – for the time being we are open on reduced hours:

Mondays: 5pm – 10pm (food from 5.30pm – 8.30pm)
Tuesdays: 5pm – 10pm (food from 5.30pm – 8.30pm)
Wednesdays: midday – 10pm (food from 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm)
Thursdays: midday – 10pm (food from 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm)
Fridays: midday – 10pm (food from 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm)
Saturdays: midday – 10pm (food all day from 12.30pm – 8.30pm)
Sundays: midday – 4pm (food from midday – 3.30pm)

These are likely to be our hours for the remainder of July and August.

Food

Our menus are a little less comprehensive than before. We have to follow social distancing and safety measures in the kitchen as well as in the pub itself, so we can’t do quite so many specials and sharing boards as we used to. We hope things will get back to normal soon, but in the meantime, we are confident that the food we are offering is up to our exacting standards.

Rooms

Our B&B rooms are available again. But also on reduced availability, because after each booking we leave the room for 48 hours before it is re-used.

Changes

We have removed approximately half of our tables, but also invested a great deal into our outdoor areas so that you can enjoy time at the pub, even if you can’t fit in the pub!

We are following government guidance to ensure that our staff and our customers are safe. We have a nine page risk assessment which we are happy to share with any customers who would like to see it, and a brief summary of all our changes are explained with a leaflet on each table. It’s different to how things used to be, but we hope the warm welcome and the great food and drink are the same.

Before you arrive

TABLE BOOKINGS are advisable, and preferable, as they help us to plan, even if you are only coming for drinks and not food. Use the booking tool on this website, send us a message on facebook or phone us on 01476 870350 and we will book you in. We will have a small number of tables inside and a larger number of tables outside. We will not be setting time limits to your visits, or imposing a deposit or booking charge. If you do not book, you are still welcome to visit the Geese and Fountain but we cannot guarantee that we will have a table available for you.

Please DO NOT come to the Geese and Fountain if you, or anyone you live with, have symptoms of Covid-19. There will be no cancellation fees. Just ring us and say you’re not well and can’t come, and we will be very grateful.

We will restrict bookings to tables of 6 for the time being. Government guidelines state that you can ‘meet with one other household or bubble’ indoors, or in groups of 6 from multiple households or bubbles outdoors – but that you should continue to practice social distancing. So if you are arranging to meet other households at the pub, please advise us on booking, so we can allocate the right number of neighbouring tables.

When you arrive

When you arrive at the Geese and Fountain please come in through the FRONT DOOR. We will greet you and tell you which table(s) we have available for you. Please go to your table before ordering. All your drinks, menus, food, cutlery and so on will be brought to you at your table. Make the most of the luxury and let us wait on you!

We don’t have ‘an app’ for ordering, all your orders will be taken at your table by our staff, but we do use the Real Ale Finder app to list all the beers, lagers, ales and ciders that we have available. If you download the app, you will know what we have available, and that will save time when you are placing your order.

Please wash your hands or use sanitiser on arrival, before leaving, and each time you use the toilets. There is sanitiser in several places around the pub for you to use.

There will be a ONE WAY system (the front door is IN only, the car park door is OUT only). There will also be one way systems in the garden at busy times.

Please fill in a paper slip with your contact details, so that we can provide them to NHS Test and Trace if necessary. These slips will not be used for any other purpose and will be destroyed after 21 days.

There will be a page of information on the table like this:

We hope it will help explain what we’re doing to keep you safe. Please read it while you’re waiting for your server to take your order.

The corridor behind the bar is now STAFF ONLY. The ladies toilet has moved to one of our B&B rooms. Please follow the signs. Both the ladies and the gents will be one person at a time only.

And finally…

There are a few signs around, and a helpful info sheet on all the tables. Please READ them, and follow the guidance, and the information provided to you during your visit by our team. It is all being done for your safety and protection. We know some of you will find it very different from your usual pub visits, but it is all about safety for customers and staff alike. If you’ve got any questions, we’ll be happy to answer them for you: we want you to be reassured that we’re doing everything appropriate to keep you safe.

So if you’ve missed your visits to the pub, whether for food, drinks or an overnight stay, please give us a call on 01476 870350 and we’ll be delighted to welcome you back.

To all our much-loved customers from the team at the Geese and Fountain

Kate, Sophie and Nick spent much of this morning working out what our approach should be to the changing situation regarding Covid-19. Then the Prime Minister had a press conference this evening, and made life much more difficult for us, so the planning has to start all over again.

Up front we want to say how much we care about our customers.

We’re genuinely very, very proud of our little pub and what makes it special is the people who work here, and the customers who visit. Without you it is just a pile of bricks and a few cans of beer. With you, it’s the best pub in the world. We are determined to find a way to keep it like that. It’s not too emotional to say ‘we love you guys’ but it does sound a bit of cliché, so let’s pretend we’ve not said it, and move on to the serious stuff…

The situation is changing so fast, it is really difficult to work out what the best thing to do is at any point, but we are determined to do everything we can to both keep the Geese and Fountain going, and also ensure the lowest possible risk to all our customers and staff.

The current situation is that the Prime Minister has advised people not to socialise and not to visit pubs, clubs and theatres. However, he has not instructed us to close. This puts us in a difficult place, as without a specific instruction to close we will not be able to access any business insurance payments for loss of trade or similar.

We are a small pub, in a very small village. In as much as it’s possible to know, the risk represented by a visit to the Geese and Fountain is a lot lower than most pubs in towns and cities. We are also a resource for the village of Croxton Kerrial, and in the absence of a village shop, we are the only place in the village that you can buy milk, bread and so on (we even have toilet rolls). We therefore think that for the time being at least, the best thing we can do is try to keep going – we will keep the pub open, but take further steps to minimise the risks.

We will try our best to communicate with all of you as openly as we can. But please bear in mind that we have no idea what is going to happen next. The Prime Minister’s statement tonight has made a difficult situation a lot worse, and tomorrow the whole situation could change again.

Last weekend we issued a ‘ten point plan’ to all our staff. That remains in place.

In addition:

1. We will be putting up regular communication on our social media. Please ensure you are following the pub on facebook, twitter and instagram, if you use them. As things change we will keep putting out new updates.

2. We un-set several of our tables tonight, and will probably physically remove some into storage. The intention here is to space out customers so each family/group is sitting at least 1 metre away from anyone else. Please respect this effort when you visit the pub, and if a member of staff asks you to move tables, please be understanding.

3. Please WASH YOUR HANDS ON ARRIVAL at the Geese and Fountain. Remember, it’s not just for you – it’s to help safeguard everyone else.

4. We are going to close out online bookings for our B&B rooms. Online booking systems don’t always pass contact details for customers on to us, and in the circumstances we must be able to get in touch with customers in advance of their arrival. We will continue to take BOOKINGS FOR ROOMS OVER THE TELEPHONE ONLY.

5. We will be contacting people who have booked for Mother’s Day lunch this Sunday over the next couple of days, once we have decided the appropriate level to cap bookings at. We will not be taking any more bookings for Mother’s Day at this point. We might ask you to come at a slightly different time as we try to space out bookings more throughout the day and around the pub, keeping everyone as safe as possible. For those who are not able to come this Sunday, we are already planning a “Mother’s Day Part Two” for later in the summer, once things are back to normal.

6. We encourage all our customers to continue to use the Geese and Fountain for take-away, even if you don’t feel able to enjoy a visit to the pub. And we could potentially offer delivery to Croxton and nearby villages – please ask us if this is something that you would find helpful. Remember that we sell several basic household essentials as well as hot and cold food, beers, wines, ciders and soft drinks, chocolate bars and even toilet rolls. Apparently some supermarkets had run out of potatoes this morning, so one customer left here with two pints of beer and a bag of spuds. This is how we survive.

It’s such a shame that the situation has deteriorated today, after what was a wonderful weekend in so many respects. Casino Night in particular was great. Let’s try to keep the positive stuff in our minds over the next few weeks – we have a very special pub, and we are part of a very special Croxton Kerrial community. We can pull together and pull through this situation, and come out of it stronger. In the meantime, wash your hands, and keep the faith!

Love and best wishes to all our customers. Please keep well.

Nick, Kate, Sophie, Greg and all the team at the G&F

This is a long post, and there aren’t many jokes, sorry. Please read until the end, though, there’s a lot we need to say…

An Update from The Geese and Fountain regarding Covid-19 (coronavirus)

We wanted to share with all our friends and customers the steps we are taking to ensure that the Geese & Fountain remains a healthy and safe place for you to come to, and also to outline some of the ways in which we can try to help members of our community who are facing difficulties. We also need to ask for your help.

The health threat represented by the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 are rightly causing concern throughout society. Small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, are under massive pressures already, and the impact of the current situation is potentially very damaging to many of us. But as a business with strong community focus, the health of colleagues, friends, family, our customers and the wider community is our main concern. By maintaining the highest hygiene standards and sharing official advice with our staff and customers, we hope we can play our role in limiting the spread of Covid-19.

The attached document was circulated to all our staff at a meeting last weekend. Many of the steps we are taking in regards to Coronavirus are things we already do as simple ‘best practice’ for a food and drink business. We want to re-assure all our customers that we are doing everything that we can to take care of you and keep you healthy while you are visiting us.

Key points for customers to note:

1. You will notice staff washing our hands more frequently than usual. This may delay us in serving you at busy times, but we hope you understand and bear with us.

2. We will be checking the ladies and gents toilets frequently for supplies of liquid soap, toilet rolls and towels but if you spot anything running low please let us know.

3. Please join us in washing your hands thoroughly before eating a meal, and after each visit to the toilet.

4. All drinks will be served in clean glasses, no refilling, to avoid any risk of cross-contamination.

5. There is little or no value in healthy individuals wearing face masks or gloves to halt the spread of infections such as coronavirus. We will therefore not be wearing masks or gloves, and we would ask you not to wear masks or gloves when visiting the pub – it only spreads unnecessary panic.

6. If you are unwell, we sadly have to ask you NOT to visit the pub.

7. We will be spraying tables with sanitiser after each use, but if you would like your table cleaned more frequently please ask us, we’d be happy to do so.

In addition, we are very conscious that Croxton Kerrial is potentially a difficult place in which to be ill, especially since the village shop is no longer open. We are already retailing a number of basic essentials at the pub – bread, milk, butter, pain killers, and even toilet rolls, but if there are other items which you would like us to have in stock please let us know.

We hope that this will reassure you that we are doing everything we can to keep the pub a healthy environment for you, and at this stage we have no plans for closing the pub or cancelling any events. We hope you can continue to support us, and we can get through these difficult times together.

A couple of notes for those of you concerned about coming out to the pub, but who are still keen to help us pay our bills through the next few weeks.

1. We are happy to offer TAKEAWAY on all our food, and there is a 20% discount on all bottled beers, wines and ciders for take-home orders. In addition, we will even consider an ad-hoc delivery service for Croxton Kerrial residents (it gives Nick an excuse to go for a walk around the village). So if you are feeling unwell, or self-isolating, and need food, drinks or other basic essentials, get in touch with the pub and we will do whatever we can to help you.

2. We do sell gift vouchers. This is important because, like many hospitality businesses, we’ve noticed a drop in trade over the past two weeks, and this is likely to get worse before it improves. In the meantime, all our bills continue to pile up, and our staff need paying. If you aren’t able to come to the pub but would still like to support our efforts to keep the business running, please consider buying a gift voucher, either for your own use in the future, or to give to friends or relatives. It really would make a big difference.

From Nick, Kate, Sophie, Greg and all our staff, we would like to thank you all for your custom and support and friendship. We value you all very much, and we look forward to celebrating with you when this difficult phase is over. In the meantime, we’re very much a community, and we would ask you to contact us if there is anything we can do to help you get through the next few weeks.

EDIT: In the light of the widespread international travel restrictions relating to the spread of Coronavirus, we have decided to extend the ‘winter escapes’ offer in two ways:

1. The offer will continue beyond the end of March for as long as major travel restrictions apply. At the moment this seems likely to be mid-April at the earliest.
2. You can now book your ‘winter escape’ to the Geese and Fountain on a FRIDAY NIGHT as well as on a weeknight. So why not book a Friday away, and have a proper break?

Now read on…

You don’t have to wait until the warmer weather and the lighter evenings to enjoy a break in the countryside. Even in Winter, the vale of Belvoir is a stunning place to visit. Great scenery, interesting towns and villages, and, of course, some fabulous pubs to settle into for a pint by the fire.

We’re offering a couple of great deals at the moment, for the remainder of February and March, to help make a mini-break in the countryside a relaxing one for your wallet as well as for you.

You can book a double or twin room for a week night (Monday to Thursday) for an inclusive dinner, bed and breakfast stay at the Geese and Fountain for just £100 per couple. A big saving from our regular prices, it’s an ideal way to enjoy a relaxing night away, a short break in the delightful Vale of Belvoir. Whether you come to explore Belvoir Castle and the other spectacular properties in the region, walking the quiet country lanes, visiting Melton Mowbray, the ‘rural capital of food’ with its cattle market, cheese shops and the new Round Corner Brewery, there is something for everyone on our doorstep.

And for only £100 you can enjoy a three course dinner (ordering from our pub classics menu, our pizza menu or our evening specials, with no exceptions or supplements), a relaxing night’s sleep in one of our seven comfortable rooms, and round off your stay with one of our traditional breakfasts. The only additional costs will be for whatever drinks you consume while you’re here.

This offer is only available by telephone. Please call the pub on 01476 870350 if you would like to book, and quote our ‘Spring Escape’ offer to get the special price. The offer is, of course, subject to room availability, is not available for ‘special event’ dates, and will not apply after the end of March 2020.

Alternatively, if you would rather stay a little longer, we are offering a FREE THIRD NIGHT with any two night stay. So book a Friday and a Saturday night, we’ll let you stay on Sunday night for nothing. Or take a mid-week break and explore Melton’s market day or the antique shops of Oakham or Newark. We’re convenient for Leicester, Nottingham and Lincoln too. Just call us and book a three night stay (dates before the end of March 2020) and you will only pay for two nights.

Valentine’s Day is getting closer and our delicious Valentine’s Menu will be available this year on Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th. The full menu can be found here, and you can book a table here.

But why not make a proper night of it? Combine a Valentine’s Dinner for Two with one of our lovely B&B rooms for the night, complete with a luxurious lay-in the next morning, and breakfast back in the pub at a time of your choosing.

Double rooms at the Geese and Fountain are normally £75 or £80 per night, but as a special offer for Valentine’s, if you call us directly on 01476 870350 and quote the ‘Valentine B&B offer’ you can book a Valentine’s Dinner for Two and a double room for just £120 including breakfast. That’s a saving of £24 – enough to get you both lunch the next day!

The offer is available on both Friday 14th and Saturday 15th February, subject to us having a suitable room available. This offer isn’t available on any other night, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or deal.

Kate, Nick and everyone at the Geese and Fountain would like to wish all our customers a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. To get 2020 off to the best possible start, why not join us for a special family lunch on New Year’s Day?

All lunch guests will receive a glass of mimosa to toast the start of the new year, or orange juice if you prefer.

The New Year’s Day lunch menu will be served slightly later than usual, from 1pm until 5pm, so everyone can have a gentle start to the year. Bookings are now open – call 01476 870350 to book your New Year’s Day lunch table.

New Year’s Day Lunch Menu

Mimosa or orange juice

☙ • ❧

Chestnut, pumpkin and Bramley apple soup V

Crab ravioli, crab bisque, crostini

Chicken consommé, crispy chicken skin

Pear tart, stilton, pistachios V

Salt-baked beetroot, smoked aubergine, goat’s cheese, walnuts V

Spinach and ricotta gnocchi, sage butter V

Chicken liver pâté, toast, cornichons

☙ • ❧

Slow-roast Dexter brisket (from D Wiltshire, Croxton Kerrial)

Roast chicken breast (from Gerald Botterill, Croxton Kerrial)

Honey glazed gammon (from G Skinners and sons, Barrowby)

Salmon fillet in Champagne, fondant potatoes

Pan-fried wild duck breast, blackberry sauce

Mushroom, spinach and pumpkin pithivier V

Celeriac and sweet garlic open pie V

All the above served with roast and mashed potato, Yorkshire pudding,
chestnut stuffing, roasted carrots, leeks au gratin and seasonal vegetables.

Thai chilli and ginger hake, soy and sesame noodles, prawn crackers

☙ • ❧

Pears baked with lemon, bay and marsala wine

Honey poached oranges, Grand Marnier chocolate mousse

Champagne jelly, syllabub and frosted grapes

Whisky and chocolate cremeux, whisky ice cream

White chocolate and cranberry bread and butter pudding

Caramel panna cotta, gingerbread

Colston Bassett stilton cheese, crackers, organic port (£3 supplement)

Just a main course £16 • 2 courses £21 • 3 courses £25