Outdoor pub tables booked up already, say landlords

PUB OWNERS have said Britons are “desperate” to have drinks with their friends again as venues have been flooded with bookings with weeks to go until they reopen to the public.

Venues said their outdoor tables have been booked out for weeks after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his timetable for the reopening of hospitality.

The road map laid out plans for pubs, restaurants and bars to reopen outdoor areas from April 12, with customers welcome inside again from May 17.

Clive Watson, founder and chairman of the London-based City Pub Group, said his sites have been flooded with bookings.

“It’s gone gangbusters,” he said. “People are desperate to catch up with their friends.

“If we only had baked beans on the menu they would still book.

However, he said there is a long road to recover for the sector.

“Let’s not pretend we are off to the races yet,” Mr Watson said.

“There are still a lot of people who are cautious about booking, and we’ve definitely seen particularly caution with things like weddings and events where deposits are needed.”

Pub group Fuller’s also hailed strong pent-up demand from potential customers after months of closures in many areas.

A spokesman for the chain said: “We are certainly taking a high level of bookings – people clearly can’t wait to get back to the pub, which is great to see.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade group UKHospitality, said: “Feedback from our members is that bookings are very strong for the first few weeks of outdoor reopening in April.

“It is unsurprising, after the dreadful year we have had, that people are eager to socialise with friends and family again.”