New Wetherspoons rules from July 19 - including queues at bar again and £2 pints

Pub chain Wetherspoons has announced new rules for customers from 'Freedom Day'.

July 19 will see many remaining coronavirus laws lifted by the government , including social distancing, the rule-of-six indoors and the wearing of face masks.

However Boris Johnson and health bosses still expect shoppers to keep wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces and public transport and to follow Covid-safe procedures.

Businesses can decide if they want to abandon all of the rules they are allowed to drop from July 19, or to keep some.

Wetherspoons says its app will still be available for customers to order on, but that face masks will no longer be mandatory.

The pub giant has confirmed its prices will be £2 for a pint of ale while the rules are changing to allow punters and patrons to prop up the bar, Lancashire Live reported .

Customers can order at the bar from Monday, with local brewery ales costing £1.99.

Wetherspoons branches have the ability to set their own rules, though.

Some bar managers and pub bosses could make some restrictions and measures remain, in a bid to ensure health and safety.

It is worth customers reaching out to their local and checking if they need to know in advance.

Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman, Tim Martin, said: “ We are proud of our reputation for supporting local breweries and serving their beer in our pubs."

“Our customers will be able to enjoy some great beers in their local, while supporting local brewers too – and all at a fantastic price.”

Last week the Mirror reported Wetherspoons could increase the cost of its food later this year when a cut to VAT rates comes to an end.

Hospitality businesses have been granted a reduced rate of 5% to help ease their financial burden during the coronavirus crisis.

But this will go up to 12.5% from October this year, before returning to its full level of 20% in April 2022.

Wetherspoon confirmed the prices of its food will go up as a result in a trading update today, saying the increase will be around 40 pence per meal.

The pub chain had been passing on savings from the VAT cut to customers, lowering the price of its food as a result during lockdown.