Cheers! One of UK’s biggest brewers to open 700 pubs on ‘glorious’ April 12 as Ministers says ALL landlords can erect marquees
- Marston’s said 70 per cent of venues across England would be back in business
- The 696 pubs will be offering an outdoor table service and are taking bookings
- It comes as Government is slashing red tape to allow pubs to put up marquees
The great alfresco April reopening of the nation’s pubs received another boost last night as Marston’s brewery said it was planning to welcome customers into almost 700 of its beer gardens.
The chain announced that 70 per cent of its venues across England would be back in business from April 12 for eager diners and drinkers.
The 696 pubs will be offering an outdoor table service and are taking bookings – and customers will be able to use toilets and baby-changing facilities.
The Government confirmed a new £56 million ‘Welcome Back Fund’ would help towns spruce up their high streets and hold outdoor beer and food festivals
Marston’s Brewery announced that 70 per cent of its venues across England would be back in business from April 12 for eager diners and drinkers.
It came as the Government said it was slashing red tape to allow pubs and bars to put up marquees without having to apply for planning permission.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘I’m allowing every pub in the country to erect a marquee in their garden for the whole summer as a one-off power to support our locals.’ The move, which Whitehall officials believe will allow an extra 9,000 pubs to reopen in 22 days’ time, comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed that landlords were facing demands to pay hundreds of pounds in fees to town halls for additional planning and licensing permits.
But Mr Jenrick ordered local authorities to back down and said new rules will also allow customers to spill out on to pavements without landlords having to extend their licensing conditions.
Meanwhile, the Government confirmed a new £56 million ‘Welcome Back Fund’ would help towns spruce up their high streets and hold outdoor beer and food festivals.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
‘As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.’
Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve customers again outside from April 12 in England. They will then be given the green light to offer indoor seating from May 17, providing specific Covid conditions are met. Restrictions are due to be totally relaxed by June 21.
As part of the new rules coming into place from April, the hated 10pm curfew has been scrapped and customers won’t have to buy a ‘substantial meal’ when they order an alcoholic drink. They will have to drink at a table though, and wear facemasks when they are not sitting down.
Josh Green, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘It’s good news for pubs, as we move towards the outdoor reopening, that rules around outdoor spaces will be more relaxed, particularly given the vagaries of April weather.
‘We would urge the Government and local councils to work with publicans in ensuring that as many people as possible are able to enjoy a pint in the glorious Great British pub in April and beyond.’ Ralph Findlay, chief executive of Marston’s, which has 1,400 pubs in Britain, said: ‘We are delighted we can reopen many of our pubs, but can’t wait until all our pubs can serve customers again.
‘The resilience of our managers and partners during this time has been admirable and we look forward to safely reuniting friends and family.’
Pubs will also be allowed to sell takeaway pints from April 12, which had previously been banned. There are around 45,000 pubs in England, 43 per cent of them with an outdoor area of some kind.
Bosses at brewing giant Young’s will reopen 140 of their pubs, while Wetherspoon is also planning to serve at 394 of their establishments.
Pubs in Scotland are expected to remain closed until at least April 26. No official announcement has been made in Wales or Northern Ireland.