The Pilgrim's Progress in Bedford scheduled to reopen in April - the expected rules for customers

It's one of nearly 400 Wetherspoon pubs in England
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Wetherspoon has announced that it is set to reopen beer gardens, rooftop gardens and patios at 394 of its pubs in England when lockdown restrictions ease from April 12.

The pubs will be open from 9am to 9pm from Sunday to Thursday, and from 9am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays - however, some locations will have tighter restrictions around closing times.

The chain - which includes The Pilgrim's Progress, in Midland Road - will offer a reduced menu, with food available to customers from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week. The menu will include breakfast, burgers, pizza, deli deals, fish and chips and British classics.

The Pilgrim's Progress, in Midland Road (Google)The Pilgrim's Progress, in Midland Road (Google)
The Pilgrim's Progress, in Midland Road (Google)

Customers will be able to order food and drink, and pay, via the Wetherspoon app.

For customers without the app, staff will be operating on a table service basis, taking orders and payments at customers tables.

The pubs will not be operating a booking system for customers.

Patrons will be able to enter the pubs in order to gain access to the outside areas, as well as use the toilets. Test and trace will be in operation, and hand sanitiser will be available.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs.”

Across England, pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers outdoors from April 12 as part of the road map out of lockdown.

In the UK, Wetherspoon has 875 pubs, with 750 of those in England.

In the Government document “Covid-19 Response - Spring 2021”, it details that in step two, “some sections of our indoor economy and more outdoor settings” can reopen.

This will take place no earlier than April 12, “subject to an assessment of the data against the four tests” - if step two is delayed, subsequent steps “will need to be pushed back in order to maintain the necessary five week period to assess the impact of each step and provide notice”.

The roadmap states that “the majority of outdoor settings and attractions can reopen, including outdoor hospitality, zoos, theme parks, drive in cinemas and drive in performance events”.

It adds: “Hospitality venues will be able to open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew.

The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain.”

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