Reopening plans fail to lift pubs and restaurants

SHARES in pubs, hotels and restaurants remain under pressure amid worries that many will continue to struggle or even stay closed despite the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

After months of doing little or no business, Boris Johnson finally gave the sector the green light to reopen on July 4.

The Prime Minister also reduced the two-metre social distancing rule to one metre, giving hope to tens of thousands of businesses who would otherwise have remained closed.

But industry experts warned that clouds remained over thousands of firms, and their shares are still languishing well below pre-crisis levels despite clawing back some losses in recent weeks.

Shares in pub group Marston’s fell 4pc. Although they have trebled in value since their March lows, they are down 47pc this year.

The Restaurant Group, which has said more than 100 of its sites will never reopen following the lockdown, rose 2.9pc but has fallen 58pc this year.

Wetherspoons gained 1pc but is still down by a third having plunged as much as two-thirds in the coronavirus sell-off.

Many venues will not be able to open and make a profit with onemetre distancing.

Revolution Bars yesterday said it will open just six of its 74 outlets on July 4 for daytime service. Chief executive Rob Pitcher said: ‘For large swathes of hospitality it’s not profitable to trade even at one metre.’

Some drinkers have said going to the pub is not a risk they’re prepared to take while good weather allows them to socialise in parks and gardens.

Even those businesses that do open only expect takings to reach 70pc, just enough to break even, and some bosses predict the sector will need Government support until at least Christmas. Industry body UK Hospitality said for most firms one-metre distancing ‘ only really means break-even at best’.

The release of lockdown has come too late for some businesses. Celebrity chef Rick Stein said two of his group’s seven restaurants would never open again, following in the footsteps of Michelin-starred restaurant The Ledbury in London, which announced it would close earlier this month. Under new Government rules, publicans and restaurateurs must take personal details from customers, to aid efforts to test and trace coronavirus cases. Yesterday the idea was ridiculed. Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay ( pictured) said: ‘It’s impractical – the idea we would get correct information from people is bonkers.’ Holidaymakers staying within the UK were also given the all- clear to visit hotels, campsites and B&Bs. Cinemas, museums, theme parks, arcades and libraries can also now reopen from July 4. Two major pub groups – Greene King and Wetherspoons – have released the measures they plan to use to operate safely, giving an insight into how pub and restaurant culture will change.

Supermarket- style queues, ‘pub hosts’ and Perspex screens at the bar will greet customer.

Many companies have used the hiatus to develop apps and websites to help customers book tables and order without going to the bar.

Visitors will follow one-way systems through venues where possible, and condiment bottles and menus may be removed in favour of disposable alternatives.

The High Street is expecting a boost. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: ‘The reopening of restaurants, bars and other services will help encourage people back. This is vital to reviving our town centres.’

Retail landlords face more strife today however as the quarterly rent bill is due.

Ramzi Kattan, of the ratings agency Moody’s, said: ‘We expect a grim day.

‘Most commercial real estate landlords are likely to collect less than half of due amounts.’