The Prime Minister led the Downing Street press conference yesterday afternoon and set out the next stage of lockdown easing for England.
For hospitality, the announcement that pubs and restaurants can once again serve people inside from next Monday 19 May will be a huge relief. Operators across England can open their doors and welcome people back with open arms, and even hug them, within reason.
Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitalityReacting to the Prime Minister’s statement, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is a much welcome and vitally important next step, as we continue along the roadmap to remove restrictions.
“There is a huge sense of relief within the sector, in particular for the 6 in 10 venues that were not able to reopen over recent weeks due to a lack of outdoor space. This also gives businesses far more certainty with trading no longer beholden to the weather. However, with significant restrictions still in place, this is a psychological opening rather than an economic one, with the profitability of the sector still a huge issue.
“This is why sticking to the roadmap and the removal of all restrictions by 21st June is absolutely crucial, enabling venues to finally operate in viable conditions, after fourteen months of severely disrupted trading.
“Hospitality, as it emerges from restrictions, is still in a fragile state and continued Government support will be critical to ensuring the sector is rejuvenated and plays a full role in the wider economic recovery.”
Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene KingNick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene King, said: “It’s great that from next Monday we’ll be able to welcome our customers back inside our pubs and get more of our team members back to work.
“Since we reopened outdoors in some of our pubs in April, frequent spells of cold and wet weather have made it particularly trying for our teams who are serving our customers outside. Even though the vast majority of our our pubs will be open next week, we’ll still be operating at significantly reduced capacity, so it’s essential all restrictions disappear as promised on 21 June so we can return to the full pub experience that people have missed so much.”
Galleries, theatres, cinemas and soft play centres are now also allowed to reopen. Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes.
The announcement came the same day zero coronavirus deaths were announced in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Hospitality & Catering News: PM confirms hospitality’s reopening roadmap on track. – 11 May 2021 – PM confirms hospitality’s reopening roadmap on track.
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