Marston’s to reopen all 600 pubs with gardens in England from April 12
PUB chain Marston’s is to reopen 600 of its boozers from April 12 when lockdown restrictions ease.
The sites will reopen for outdoor eating and drinking only to coincide with the roadmap out of lockdown in England.
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Punters won’t be allowed to dine inside until mid-May at the earliest, and only if restrictions allow.
The pubs being reopened by Marston’s are all in England, although not all English sites will welcome customers back due to not having an outdoor space.
Marston’s says around 70% of its England branches will open their doors again in April.
The pub chain hasn’t said when its sites in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland will reopen.
Each devolved country is running a separate plan to ease lockdown restrictions.
What four tests does the gov need to pass before easing restrictions?
1. The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
4. Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
As part of its reopening, Marston’s has expanded its digital table service called “Marston’s Tap” where customers order their food and drink online from their smartphone.
After paying online, your order is then brought to your table by bar staff.
Marston’s first launched this service last year, but all venues in the hospitality industry will have to offer table service only when they reopen in April.
If you don’t want to use the online service, a member of staff can still take your order while you’re at the table.
Marston’s has also confirmed customers will have “adapted food and drink” offers for an outdoor setting, while some venues will have a reduced menu.
The Sun has asked for a full list of locations for the 600 pubs that will reopen and we’ll update this article when we hear back.
Marston’s has around 1,400 boozers across the UK, with customers able to book a table now from their respective pub’s website.
Boris Johnson’s plan for reopening businesses will see restaurants and pubs 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.
Other pub chains that have confirmed reopenings include Wetherspoon and Fuller’s.
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.
Pubs will also be allowed to offer takeaway pints, something which was banned during lockdown.
Like before, face masks must be worn by staff and customers when not sat at a table.
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We’ve rounded up a full list of rules you’ll be expected to follow at pubs.
Last year, Wetherspoons revealed early on what its pubs looked like with Covid secure measures.
Pubs were kitted out with screen, posters and floor markings to help demonstrate how Wetherspoons will reopen branches.