The reopening of pubs indoors last month has been hampered by the continuation of Government restrictions, particularly social distancing, which has resulted in a 20% slump in trade compared with pre-lockdown levels.
Almost a quarter of Britain's pubs and restaurants have yet to reopen since the partial easing of hospitality restrictions and 7.4% of the country's pre-lockdown total have already closed for good.
The reopening of indoor hospitality earlier this week came too late for many businesses as data reveals that six pubs have closed every week during Government-imposed lockdowns.
A triple whammy of heavy rain, high winds and low temperatures has kept pubgoers away from exposed beer gardens today – many pubs across England haven't bothered opening at all.
For the Lockdown panjandrums on SAGE, this Hogarthian image is what they think the average beer garden looks like on a Saturday afternoon. The war on pubs is a war being waged by puritans against joy, says Sean Walsh.
In case having to "sign in" – and showing staff your phone to prove it – every time you go to the pub wasn't bad enough, pubs in parts of England will now also force drinkers to wear face masks while sat outside.
Plans to force people to show vaccine passports when going to a pub or restaurant have been ditched. Proof of a Covid jab or test will, however, still be required when attending festivals and sports events.
Why is it that pubs and restaurants cannot open at the same time as "non-essential" shops? Matt Hancock has been ordered to the High Court to justify this decision, following legal action by Sacha Lord and Hugh Osmond.
In yet another blow to the hospitality industry, the Government has announced that all customers at pubs, restaurants and cafes must provide contact details (either written or via the NHS Test and Trace app) on entry.
