Restaurants are planning to celebrate the New Year two hours early at 10pm due to coronavirus curfew restrictions.
A number of business owners in London say its the only way to see in 2021 and still follow the 11pm closing time rule.
Other restaurants across the country could find themselves in a similar position as the pandemic looks set to scupper the traditional full scale festivities to ring in the New Year.
But even this compromise plan could be ruined if Tier 2 cities like London are forced back into Tier 3 when ministers announce a review of England's measures on December 16, with any changes expected to come into force just days later on the 19th.
Moving into Tier 3 would mean all hospitality closing except for takeaways.
Westminster and the devolved governments across the UK previously agreed to allow a temporary easing of restrictions from December 23 to 27 allow up to three households to mix, but that runs out well before New Year's Eve.
And Tier 2 and 3 rules means ringing in the new year at the pub with friends is already off the table for an estimated 99 per cent of Brits, with the Government warning there will be no exceptions.
This has left other businesses, including restaurants, forced to find other ways to make what would normally be their busiest time of the year still work.
Thomas Kochs, managing director at the Corinthia London in Whitehall, told the Evening Standard : “We are hosting celebrations both at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill with dinner and live music, and at The Northall with a black tie gala dinner.
“We will apply the principle of ‘resort time’ and will turn back our clocks by two hours, celebrating a New Year moment at 10pm with a champagne toast and chorus of Auld Lang Syne. Each guest will be given a party bag to take away with a sparkler, party popper and popping candy for the real midnight.”
Simon Thomas, chief executive of the Hippodrome casino said its bars and restaurants will mark every midnight through to the UK’s own but two hours early at 10pm.
And Sam Harrison, owner of Sam’s Riverside in Hammersmith, told the paper he planned on sending diners home with a 'midnight party bag' so customers could celebrate when they get home.
