Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has confirmed plans to reopen all 860 pubs - after the Prime Minister gave hospitality businesses the go ahead to trade again indoors from Monday.
Under new rules, customers will be required to scan the NHS Covid app at the entrance, and wear masks when not seated, as the fight against Covid continues.
All branches will have one-way systems in place to enable social distancing – and guests will be allowed to sit inside, although the rule of six will still apply.
Unlike rivas, customers won't have to book in advance, meaning it's first come, first served in all outlets.
There will also be an average 10 hand sanitiser dispensers around each pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff to use. Guests will be asked to use them when entering stores.
Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work. This will include having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.
Dedicated staff will monitor the pub at intervals to maintain social distancing standards and there will be a member of staff on the door at peak times.
The pubs will use one entrance with a separate exit door where possible.
Customer entry and exits will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers and there will be clear printed information providing guidance to customers as they enter the pubs.
Each branch will have a member of staff working full time (two or more staff per pub to cover all opening hours) to sanitise all the contact points during opening hours.
These will include door handles, allergen information screens, card payment machines and hand rails.
The full menu will also be back for the first time in almost a year – with curry nights and meal clubs to make a full comeback.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told The Mirror the chain is looking forward to welcoming guests.
“We are looking forward to Monday and opening all those pubs that haven’t been able to open since mid-March,” he said.
“In total around 860 of the 872 Wetherspoon pubs will open.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back customers and staff.
“The same safety procedures that have been in place since pubs reopened in July 2020 will be in place.”
Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will still be accepted.
Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass, and when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed down using the base of the glass.
Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff.
The pubs will also provide sachets for ketchup, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, rather than their usual condiment bottles.
Pubs will open from 8am until midnight from Sunday through to Thursday, and 8am until 1am on Friday and Saturday.
In between reopening will be the emergence of a new branch, The Buck Inn in Northallerton, The Sun reports.
However, six in total will remain closed – these are namely those located in airports or conference centres where customers are expected to remain now.
The closed outlets are in Stansted, Doncaster, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports as well as two pubs in the NEC, Birmingham.
Four-hundred-and-thirty-eight Wetherspoons pubs in England are already open but the company said new changes from May 17 will include more menu options and increased seating due to the opening of indoor areas.
From next week, guests will be able to meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors and the rule of six will come into effect indoors.
