We are pleased to report that the re-opening of our Club for lunches on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from the last week in July and throughout August, has been very successful. Picture shows Dining Room laid out to adhere to social distancing guidelines

Dear Fellow Member,

The decision to open for three days was taken to optimise capacity on the three busiest days of the week and to utilise the Government flexible furlough scheme in order to reduce running costs. This situation is kept under constant review by Lorna, our General Manager, and the Management Committee.

As you can appreciate, a tremendous amount of work and effort has been undertaken by all our staff to retain the warm and friendly atmosphere but keeping the welfare and safety of Members paramount during this pandemic.

Our first evening event will be a ‘Dinner at the Club’ on Friday 28^th August with an exquisite menu prepared by our Head Chef, Robert Fulton. We hope this will be the start of monthly evening dinners, so book your table early!

Our short-term plan has been to have the Club up and running for Members whilst adhering to the Government guidelines. More recently, a Strategy Committee has been formed, under the chair of Past President Chris McCleane, to look at the medium- and long-term strategic planning of the Club with a view to maximising the utilisation of the Club facilities. You will, of course, be kept up to-date with the progress and developments of this Committee.

Following its postponement in April, I can now confirm that the Annual General Meeting of Ulster Reform Club will be held in the Club on Friday 25^th September at noon. This will enable a review of the extended year and appointment of Committee for the ensuing year. The official notice and agenda will follow in accordance with the Club rules. Please notify the general office if it is your intention to attend the AGM.

2020 is the 135^th anniversary of the establishment of Ulster Reform Club.We are an integral and important part of the commercial and social history of Belfast and so, on November 5^th , to mark the anniversary of the inaugural Club annual dinner, we hope to hold an event to acknowledge this important occasion.

Finally, I would like to thank all our Members and ask for your continued patronage of the Club in these uncertain times ahead. Our Clubhouse remains the jewel in the Crown and I would encourage our Members to utilise its spacious facilities to their utmost, should it be social gatherings, business, office functions, weddings or Anniversary events.

Yours sincerely

Michael Copeland
President