A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

WITH PUBS AND RESTAURANTS REOPENING ON APRIL 12, ROSIE MURRAY-WEST DETAILS HOW THEY’RE PLANNING TO MOVE THEIR BUSINESSES OUTSIDE TO KEEP US SAFE

AFTER over a year of being told to keep apart and wash our hands, the Government finally added a new element to its coronavirus messaging. By appending the words ‘Fresh Air’ to the well-known ‘Hands, Face, Space’ slogan, the public health experts confirmed what many of us already know – staying outside is the safest way to avoid catching or passing on coronavirus.

‘The evidence is very clear that outdoor spaces are safer than indoors. It is important to remember this as we move into the next phase,’ said Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, as he brought in new reopening rules that prioritise outdoor eating, drinking and socialising.

For businesses, though, the need to take trading outside has huge implications. Not only is the British weather a factor – with the Easter holidays featuring everything from scorching sunshine to snow showers – but many face restrictions on how they can operate outdoors, either because they have no garden area, or because it is very small.

New rules surrounding hospitality and outdoor seating and trading have been put in place to help with this. Here are some of the ways in which businesses can ensure their clients enjoy the great outdoors this year.

Beer gardens and restaurant open spaces

Businesses can open to serve meals and drinks outdoors from April 12, and the ‘substantial meal’ requirement has been scrapped so that pubs can just serve drinks if they wish and there is no 10pm curfew.

However, many pubs will not be reopening under the restrictions, because they do not have enough outdoor space. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, says that some 40 per cent of pubs will reopen from April 12.

However, she says that, due to the restrictions, those pubs that do open are likely to be loss-making.

‘Those that do open have invested a lot in ensuring customers are both comfortable and safe, making the most of the pub beer garden. But we should remember that those opening will be loss-making with the ability to trade beyond breakeven coming with the removal of all restrictions,’ she says.

Pavement licences

For pubs and restaurants without outdoor space of their own, the extension of last summer’s ‘pavement licences’ could allow them to trade in the fresh air.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote to local council leaders last month, urging them to waive planning rules, unless circumstances were exceptional, to allow businesses to put tables on pavements and in other open spaces without planning permission until September 2022.

Kate Nicholls, CEO of trade association UKHospitality, said that the decision to extend the use of these pavement licences, which should cost no more than £100, was welcome, and that the decision will ‘enable many more hospitality businesses – such as pubs, bars, hotels, cafés and restaurants to reopen safely on April 12 for outdoor eating and drinking than would have been otherwise possible’.

‘It’s encouraging to see the Government make clear that all such licences previously granted under these provisions should continue to apply beyond summer 2021, so that businesses do not have to reapply or be charged a further fee. We hope that all local authorities follow this direction and support their local hospitality businesses, as many did last year,’ she says.

Takeaway pints

During the current lockdown, pubs have been unable to serve takeaway pints, unlike in lockdown one, but this all changes on April 12, when businesses can serve alcohol to take away as well as meals.

The Countryside Alliance, which has surveyed rural pub owners, says that the inability to sell alcohol has had a negative impact on pubs that have been operating as a takeaway service, so this will help those pubs that are unable to provide a full service, while drinks can also be consumed in car parks and other outdoor spaces.

Marquees and awnings

The usual limit for putting up marquees and awnings for business purposes is 28 days, but this limit is being scrapped, meaning that businesses that are worried about the British weather can put up shelters that last all summer. According to the Health Act 2006, a marquee can only be considered as outside space if over half of the sides have been removed.

Land use for temporary events

Coronavirus-based planning changes allow land to be used for 56 days a year for markets and events such as car boot sales and motor racing, rather than the usual 28.

As well as paving the way for daytime summer fun and outdoor shopping, Dan Yates, from campsite booking website Pitchup, says the extension of this provision allows more ‘pop-up’ campsites so that families can enjoy a UK holiday in the open air.

‘More than 50 pop-up sites have already begun taking bookings for the first time in 2021, and we’re expecting to have over 500 in all, compared to around 225 last year, so there should be plenty of space to go round,’ Dan says.

‘Many will opt to open for the first time for the late May bank holiday and then again for the peak summer holidays, to make best use of their 56-day allowance.

‘They’ll be at a wide range of locations including farms, stately homes and showgrounds. It’s a useful additional income stream for landowners, and local businesses that benefit from new people spending in the area.’