The trials and errors of refurbishment

Thankfully, I returned in one piece from skiing in Austria and immediately set about tying up any loose ends before the start of our refurbishment.

The furniture is being changed from fixed seating to a combination of loose chairs and banquette seating, so we had to dismantle all the old seating ready for the scrap man. It was a big job, but we managed to empty the restaurant ready for the builders at 7.30am on Sunday.

I have been involved in many shopfits and refurbs over the years, but I still forget what it's like trying to juggle the various trades, who are all concerned about their own particular role and seemingly oblivious to the big picture.

Apart from the usual problems that arise, we have had two more difficulties. The first one occurred as soon as the decorators opened a tin of paint and it became obvious that the yellow chosen was far too strong. Should we select another colour and scrap the existing order, or try to alter the shade? As it was Sunday morning, we opted for the latter and ended up adding gallons of white to obtain the desired result.

The next hiccup was more interesting. We had selected the floor coverings before Christmas and discussed the programme with the flooring contractor with the aim of laying the carpets on Wednesday. On Monday afternoon I phoned to tell him that we were on target for laying as agreed. "Laying what?" he asked. "Nobody has placed an order with me." My jaw hit the floor - we couldn't possibly open without carpets.

The next phone call was even better: the required items could be obtained overnight, except that the selected carpet range was being withdrawn and so could we please choose another one?

It's now Wednesday afternoon and the carpets are being laid, the air-conditioning system is being tested and the last of the new light fittings are going up. Tomorrow will see the furniture being delivered, the pictures hung and the restaurant put back together ready for reopening on Friday morning.

That's the acid test - will our customers like our new style and new menu, or will they vote with their feet?

Let's hope we've got it right, because next week we start the whole process again in Louth and then in Scunthorpe. You'll know the results next month.

JOHN DOWNS is managing director of Lincoln-based Jay-Dees Family Restaurants