Pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions across England are today putting the final touches to their preparations for a safe reopening on 'Super Saturday'.
The British Beer and Pub Association say 80% of England’s pubs will open.
But as drinkers prepare for their first night out after more than three months in lockdown, police are braced for more 999 calls than on a New Year’s Eve.
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged drinkers not to “overdo it”. He said: “Do not undo the sacrifices you have made with reckless behaviour.”
Experts estimate that almost £4billion will be spent in the first week of pubs, restaurants, bars and hotels reopening.
The British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “After waiting so patiently, it’s fantastic news our pubs can finally return.”
Pubs, restaurants, cafes and visitor attractions, such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Chessington World of
Adventures in Surrey, will be asked to collate contact details of customers to help coronavirus contact tracers track possible infections.
But it is not mandatory and customers can refuse to give their details, the Department of Health and Social Care said last night.
Pubs owned by the Oakman Inns chain have been used as the prototype for Government Covid-19 safety criteria. Chief operating officer Dermot King said drinkers can expect hand sanitisers at entrances, one-way systems, screens between tables and apps to place orders.
He said: “One of our main concerns
was the screens – we didn’t want the pub to feel like a dentist’s waiting room. But the screens, which are 4ft high, work well.They’llmakepeoplefeelmoresafe.”
Customers at bigger pubs will be met by hosts who will check they have downloaded an app, which they will use to order food and drink, but which also includes a track and trace form.
Wetherspoons has spent £11million getting its 750 pubs ready, with screens at tills and by the bar areas, table service, and at least two staff deployed to clean surfaces throughout the day.
Wetherspoons’ Eddie Gershon said: “Our pubs have been closed for the first
time in their 40-year history, so it will be great to have them open once again.”
Merlin Griffiths, who owns The Priory Tavern in Kilburn, North West London, said: “I know I speak for pub owners around the country when I say how excited we are to open our doors again.”
Merlin, also bartender on C4’s First Dates, said: “Things will be a bit different, but we’ve followed the guide- lines to make sure we’re safe and ready.”
Hayley Waller, of the Star Inn at Will- erby, near Hull, said: “I have table service in the lounge area but in the bar area there will be markers on the floor so they can come to the bar two at a time.”
Just 36% of restaurants are expected to be open, says UKHospitality. Reopening is being phased, with 17% saying they will be back in business later this month, 14% in August, 19% in September and 7% by October.
Kate Nicholls, of UKHospitality said: “There is still a long way to go.”
Campsites and caravan parks are set for a rush. The Camping and Caravanning Club estimates the sector lost £25million in lockdown, but bookings in the past three weeks were up 70% year-on-year.
Alan Winter and Ian Adkins, of Jerba Campervans in North Berwick,
have seen a surge in demand as people opt for staycations.
Pitchup.com has taken a record 70,000 bookings since the reopening announcement 11 days ago. Boss Dan Yates said: “There is a massive thirst for the outdoors.” Martin Smith, of campsites.co.uk, said capacity had been cut by up to 50% at some sites to enable campers to social distance.
Unison’s Ray Gray warned that in pubs, distancing would be forgotten. He said: “The problem will be after two pints when people forget social- distancing rules and they start relaxing. It might not have an immediate effect but seven to 14 days down the road might see a spike. There are always idiots that will abuse alcohol. It’s a real worry for the NHS.”
South Yorkshire’s Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, said: “The hospitals are expecting demand similar to that of New Year’s Eve and all the while the virus continues in the background.”
He said officers would be out in force to “provide reassurance”.
Rachel Kearton, of The National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “We have enough officers and we are resourced for the weekend, planning is in place.”
PM Mr Johnson said: “We do not want to see businesses have to close again. Here in London the virus seems to be very much in retreat. But the shark is still out there in the water.”
