BRITS could face waiting WEEKS to get a table at a pub or restaurant as businesses have already been rammed with thousands of bookings.
Pubs and restaurants are set to reopen for outdoor service from April 12 at the earliest, as long as the roadmap out of lockdown stays on schedule.
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They will then be given the green light to offer indoor seating from May 17, providing specific Covid conditions are met.
But some places say they’re already “absolutely chocka” with bookings, according to Daily Mail – with some reportedly facing up to twice as many compared to when they reopened in July following the first lockdown.
Fuller’s – which will reopen 183 pubs from next month – says it’s seeing a “high level of bookings”.
A spokesperson from the pub chain told The Sun: “People clearly can’t wait to get back to the pub, which is great to see.
“We’ve invested heavily in our outside areas and now we just can’t wait to get our pubs open and welcome our customers back.”
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How to beat the post-lockdown rush
IF you’re keen to get a table at a pub or restaurant once they reopen, we explain ways to beat the post-lockdown rush.
- Book a table early: It may sound obvious, but it’s worth booking your table as early as possible. We’ve rounded up booking rules for the major pub chains, but it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your favourite restaurants’ social media channels for reopening plans.
- Show up: If you’re struggling to get a booking, it could be worth turning up at the doorstep on the day. Often restaurants have had “no shows”, so they may be able to fit you in.
- Use OpenTable: The online reservation service lets you search available restaurant bookings based on your selected date, time, number of people and location. Plenty of restaurants also offer 100 points when you make a reservation. Once you rack up 2,000 points, you’ll get a free £10 dining voucher.
- Download the right apps: We’ve rounded up the apps you’ll need to book tables and restaurants when they reopen.
- Consider odd timings: If you aren’t fussed about the timings, you’ll typically have a better chance at getting a table by choosing outside of peak lunch and dinner times.
Separately, a spokesperson from Young’s said they’re experiencing “a very good level of bookings”.
It comes as the Daily Mail reports how D&D, which has 42 restaurants, has taken 50,000 reservations already and is fully reserved “well into May” in some areas.
Rick Stein has also reportedly taken bookings from 20,000 customers for its Cornish restaurants in the last two weeks alone.
Thirsty Brits have been complaining about not being able to get a table on Twitter.
One person said: “Cool how every pub is already pre-booked for all of April and May.”
Another said: “All the restaurants on my list are not showing bookings or fully booked.”
A third said: “Outdoor restaurants are already fully booked for easing of lockdown come April 12th. British people are not playing games wow.”
A fourth added: “I was on the phone to Coppa Club from yesterday and only managed to get a May booking today.”
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.
It comes as restaurant bosses are set to enforce a “pay-before-you-eat” policy to tackle “no shows” when venues reopen.
The new rules are set to stop diners from booking multiple restaurants for the same night and choosing their preferred option last-minute, wasting restaurants’ money and food.
How booked up a restaurant or pub chain is will vary across all its locations, so it’s best to get in contact with the exact branch you plan on visiting to see if they have tables.
Young’s and Fuller’s are just some of the places accepting bookings already – we’ve got a full round up of how you can book a table here.
Greene King will also reopen 442 pubs from next month, with its booking system open from March 28.
But not all establishments are taking bookings – for example, Wetherspoon and Nando’s aren’t allowing reservations.
Instead, you need to turn up on the day and wait for a table to be free.
Wetherspoon plans on reopening 400 of its pubs from next month.
Punters will have to follow a strict set of rules when pubs and restaurants do open again.
Even for outdoor bookings, boozers must only offer table service and social distancing will still need to be observed.
In better news, the hated 10pm curfew will be scrapped and drinkers won’t have to order a substantial meal with their alcohol, putting an end to the Scotch egg debate.
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