Pubs plead with Government to cut two-metre rule in half so they can open before July

Pubs are pleading with ministers to halve the two-metre social distancing rule so they can re-open as soon as possible.

Brewery bosses hope allowing punters to come within one-metre would allow 120 per cent more boozers to resume trading sooner than planned, reports The Sun.

Earlier this month,  Boris Johnson  said that some hospitality firms could be able to reopen from July 4 at the earliest during the Government's third phase of the lockdown.

But many pubs are too small to effectively implement larger social distancing measures while bringing in enough customers to make it worthwhile - and landlords are running out of time to save themselves.

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Customers queue for takeaway drinks outside the Althorp pub, in Wandsworth (PA)

David Burd, of The Stanford Arms in Lowestoft, Suffok, told The Sun: "I would probably get 150 people inside and out on a weekend but if we have to follow social distancing I wouldn’t get more than 20, which wouldn’t make it worth me opening."

Further proposed guidelines put forward by UKHospitality (UKH) include punters being stopped from drinking at the bar.

In a 75-page draft document submitted to ministers, the trade group laid out initial proposals for re-opening pubs, bars and restaurants as soon as possible - drawn up following discussions with industry leaders.

Punters queue outside Shenanigans pub on Tithebarn Street in Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)

Restrictions on the number of children in outdoor playing areas, patrols of smoking areas, collection points for drinks, screens and one-way systems are just some of the suggestions.

The Sun reports industry bosses believe not being allowed to trade over the Bank Holiday cost the UK pub industry £10 million.

Emma McClarkin, head of the British Beer and Pub Association, told the newspaper the body is "working day in, day out" with Westminster to come up with a safe environment to re-open the country's pubs.

She said: "Pubs with gardens should be in a great position to reopen at the earliest opportunity, and we hope that the Government will look again at revising the social distancing guidance."

Many pubs have been taking advantage of a loophole in the rules as lockdown is eased and have been providing thirsty customers with takeaway pints.

Though this is a drop in the ocean compared to regular summer trade, with many pub bosses fearing they will shut down permanently if a compromise can't be found.