PUBS have been given the green light to welcome back punters from July 4 – but going for a pint won’t be the same as it was before lockdown.
Fewer customers, ordering food and drink via an app and perspex screens between tables are just some of the things you can expect on your next visit to the pub.
The Rutland Arms is a Greene king pub on the banks of The River Thames in Hammersmith in London, UK.
It’s been more than three months since Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs to temporarily close to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
And finally, on Tuesday Mr Johnson gave them the nod to reopen as planned on the first weekend of July – as long as they’re Covid-19 secure.
But not all branches will welcome back customers from the first day and exact opening times depend on the branch and brewery.
Customers will also be encouraged to pre-book a table before turning up.
Here, we take you through exactly when your local will be open again and when you order that first tipple.
Greene King – July 6
Greene King pubs will be pulling pints for customers once again from July 6, two days after they’re allowed to.
This is to give pubs enough time to make sure they’re Covid-19 safe.
It plans to run a phased reopening of its 1,700 branches, with 1,294 – over two thirds of its portfolio – reopening from the first week of July.
Greene King is to start accepting bookings from midday on Friday June 26 and punters will have to do this via the app, which is free to download.
It hasn’t released a full list of pubs that will reopen as part of phase one, but you can find out by clicking onto the app and typing in your postcode.
If your local comes up in the search and you’re able to book then it will be open on July 6.
The pub chain also hasn’t shared details of what time doors will open – you can find out local opening hours on the Greene King website for now.
The brewery took HOAR on a tour around one of its pubs to show what customers can expect when they return.
Stonegate Pub Company – July 4
Stonegate Pub Company owns Ei Group pubs, which used to be known as Enterprise Inns
Stonegate Pub Company owns Ei Group pubs, which used to be called Enterprise Inns.
There are 500 branches in the UK and it hopes to open “a number of pubs” on July 4 but is yet to clarify exactly how many that will be.
Leased and tenanted pubs typically manage their own opening hours and booking systems so it’s worth checking out your local’s website or Facebook page to find out how soon you can place your order.
You can find them here on the central Stonegate Pub Company’s website.
Alternatively, you can call the central bookings team on 03300 949251 to make a booking and find out what time your nearest branch will be opening.
Punch Taverns – Not yet announced
Punch Taverns is yet to announce details of when it plans to reopen
The brewery owns around 1,300 pubs in the UK but is yet to release any details of when it expects to reopen now that lockdown is easing.
We’ve asked for more information about their plans and how customers will be able to book a table and we’ll update this article when we know more.
In the meantime, it may be worth calling up your local Punch pub to find out if they’ll be open and whether you can reserve a table.
You can find contact details by using this online pub finder tool.
Wetherspoon – July 4
Wetherspoons pub at the Metrocentre.
Wetherspoon’s boss Tim Martin has been adamant that his pubs will open from the first day that they’re allowed to – and sure enough 750 branches will be reopening from July 4.
And ‘Spoons fans will be able to pick up a pre-lunch pint as branches will open from 8am on the Saturday.
There are nearly 900 Wetherspoon pubs in the UK – branches in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain closed until guidance changes.
The pub chain has already set out some plans for social distancing when it reopens including a reduced menu, sneeze screens and separate exits and entrances.
While a full list of which branches will be opening isn’t available, you can check if your local will be pulling pints on July 4 on the website here.
You’ll also find you each branches closing hours here too, closer to the opening date.
