We’ll drink to that! The pubs set to open soon...

APRIL 12 IS DAY EARMARKED FOR BEER GARDENS TO SERVE AGAIN

TWO pub chains have announced which of their branches will be opening next month.

In a much-anticipated move, from Monday, April 12 pub beer gardens will finally able to open, all being well with the roadmap out of Covid lockdown.

Marston’s and Wetherspoon’s have both issued lists of the pubs that will open, and how it will work.

It will be table service only and there will still be limits on mixing between households, customers will be asked to give their details for NHS Test and Trace, while each pub will have Covid safety measures in place.

These include floor markings and hand sanitising stations.

However, with restrictions easing, a change that will be in place is dropping the “substantial meal” rules completely.

The full government advice about pubs reopening states that “hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a ‘substantial meal’ with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated”.

The advice continues: “Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.”

Ralph Findlay, CEO of Marston’s, said: “We are delighted we can reopen many of our pubs, we can’t wait until all our pubs can serve customers once again. The resilience of our pub managers and pub partners during this time has been admirable and we look forward to safely welcoming back guests and reuniting friends and family.”

In total Marston’s owns about 1,400 pubs and about 600 across the country will be open on April 12.

Meanwhile, JD Wetherspoon has confirmed its plans to reopen almost 400 of its pubs on the same day.

Included in the list are seven Leicestershire pubs which will offer food from 9am to 8pm seven days a week. Alcohol will be served through the app and there will be a limited food menu.

It plans to reopen all 875 of its pubs by May 17.

Chief executive John Hutson said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs.”