BRITS desperate for a pub pint will be wanting to know how to book a table at their local on the day boozers are allowed to reopen.
The Government’s four-step plan to open businesses once again were revealed by the Prime Minister earlier this week.
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Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen for outdoor bookings on April 12, with indoor bookings resuming from May 17.
However, the PM stressed that benchmark numbers for Covid cases, hospital admissions, vaccinations and deaths, will need to be met before each step in his plan can be taken.
Despite giving businesses a date to aim for, Harvester and Toby Carvery owners Mitchells & Butlers slammed the plans for “yet again pushing the hospitality sector’s reopening to the back of the queue”.
Even so, within hours of the announcement, eager pub goers rushed to book tables at pubs and restaurants for when they reopen.
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For independent pubs you’ll need to check their website to find out exactly when they plan to reopen and whether they’re accepting bookings.
In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about booking a table at a Young’s, Weatherspoons or Greene King pub.
Greene King
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Greene King is still deciding on whether it will open pubs that have outdoor space for al fresco bookings on April 12.
It has still not confirmed if boozers will open by May 17 when the Government guidelines change.
As a result, punters are unable to make a booking for mid-April on wards but this will change once Greene King finalises its plan.
Customers will then be able to book a table via the free app or website by entering the postcode.
Alternatively, you can call your local branch and make a booking over the phone.
In July, Greene King pubs opened two days after they were officially allowed to, giving branches enough time to make sure they were Covid-19 safe.
There are 1,700 Greene King branches across the UK. You can find your nearest one using the locator tool.
Wetherspoons
Wetherspoons is yet to decide whether it will be opening pubs with outdoor space from April 12.
‘Spoons boss Tim Martin slammed the Government’s plan to only let businesses open for outside bookings, emphasising that wasn’t financially viable for some boozers.
He said the decision had been made by “ministers with no experience of business, or empathy for business”.
However, a spokesperson has told The Sun they are confident branches will open on May 17 when indoor bookings are allowed.
They also said that, like last time pubs reopened after lockdown, Wetherspoons will not be accepting bookings.
Instead, customers can simply turn up to their local, although they may be asked to wait outside at busier times.
There are nearly 900 Wetherspoon pubs in the UK and is still yet to confirm when branches in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will reopen.
You can find your nearest Wetherspoons pub using the free locator tool.
Young’s
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Young’s brewery has told The Sun it is still considering their options regarding reopening from April 12.
However, it has confirmed all 200 branches will welcome back customers once again from May 17 with full food and drink menus.
Young’s pubs are already taking bookings and has seen a huge up tick in the number of people wanting to secure a place in its boozers when they open.
Customers can book via the free app, pub website, over the phone or via email by entering in their postcode.
Only outdoor bookings can be made for dates between April 12 and May 16.
However, it’s worth noting that bookings made in this time frame may be cancelled or postponed if the pub decides it won’t be opening again until mid-May.
Indoor bookings can be made from May 17. You can find your nearest Young’s pub using the locator tool.
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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.
Pubs WILL be able to serve takeaway pints on April 12 when beer gardens open
