RESTAURANTS and pubs have been given the go-ahead to reopen indoor areas from May 17 under plans to ease England out of lockdown.
The PM unveiled his four step blueprint to lift lockdown at the end of March, but warned for each step to be taken, benchmark numbers will need to be met.
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These include for Covid cases, hospital admissions, vaccinations and deaths.
This week, he announced that the hospitality industry will be allowed to welcome back customers for indoor dining from May 17.
Brits have been able to order food and drinks at venues as long as they are sitting outside since rules eased on April 12.
Across the UK, people desperate to sip on a pint have rushed to book tables at pubs and restaurants after months in lockdown.
But the outside dining rules mean many pubs and restaurants without outdoor seating have not been able to reopen yet.
Meanwhile, other brands said they would hold off until May regardless of whether they have outdoor space.
We've spoken to some of the popular high street food outlets to find out their plans for reopening next week.
All Bar One
All Bar One will reopen 51 bars for indoor guests on May 17.
Opening times will vary from bar to bar so guests are advised to check the hours at their local branch.
The chain is owned by Mitchells & Butlers which says all of its brands will adhere to Covid safety measures.
These include guests scanning the NHS Test and Trace app or sharing details with a host on arrival.
Customers will also have to remain seated as staff serve drinks and food via table service after they order on the All Bar One App that can be downloaded from the App store.
Everyone will be required to wear facemasks while they’re not at their tables.
In order to avoid missing out, Mitchells & Butlers is encouraging customers to book tables ahead of time although restaurants will accept walk-ins if there’s availability.
Bryon
Byron is opening all 17 of its branches in England on May 17.
Most of its sites were already open for outdoor dining but customers weren’t able to book ahead.
The burger chain isnow taking bookings for its May 17 reopening.
Both it’s restaurants in Edinburgh have already opened for indoor diners when Scotland’s rules changed on April 26.
Customers will be expected to abide by the goverment Covid saftey guidelines.
Coco di Mama
Coco di Mama is reopening for inside dining at its six London branches from May 18.
Branches outside the capital will reopen shortly after although dates have yet to be confirmed.
The chain will be following Covid guidelines with customers required to scan the NHS Test and Trace app, practise social distancing, and wear face coverings while moving around the restaurants.
Franco Manca
Franca Manco is reopening all 53 pizzerias for indoor dining on May 17.
The pizza chain said many of its extended outdoor terraces, which were introduced to accommodate more customers for al fresco dining from April 12, will remain open too.
As restaurants return, Franco Manca is opening a brand new branch in High Holborn in London.
Most of the branches will be open from 12pm to 10pm or 11pm but customers should check their local branch’s hours on the Franco Manca website.
The chain is not taking bookings but has a “virtual queue” which customers can join when they arrive – or within 500m of the pizzeria.
Staff will either seat them straight away or the customer will receive a text message when their table is ready.
To celebrate reopening, the pizza chain is launching a new menu with new bites, salads, post pizza and seasonal specials.
Their No. 3 pizza is changing and will now come with roasted courgettes, ricotta, British mozzarella, roasted baby plum tomatoes and Franco and Cantarelli grana.
The no.7 Pizza will also get an update with spicy ‘nduja, buffalo mozzarella, yellow tomatoes from Vesuvio, organic tomato and fresh basil as its new toppings.
Frankie and Benny’s
Frankie and Benny’s will be reopening all of its 103 restaurants across the UK alongside a new menu.
The new selection includes Buffalo Mac n Cheese Bites, Vegan BBQ Wingz, the Meatball Sun and a 8oz sirloin steak.
The restaurant chain is open for bookings ahead of Wednesday and guests will be given a two-hour slot to dine.
Groups of up to six people from different households will be able to dine indoors – or any total number from two households. .
You can find your nearest restaurant on Franky and Benny’s website.
All branches will be open until 8pm indoors.
Greene King
Greene King is reopening 1,848 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales on May 17.
It comes in addition to the 623 that have been open for outdoor seating.
Therefore, 2,470 Greene King pubs will be open for Brits to grab a pint next week.
But around 30 pubs will not reopen on 21 June because their internal layout doesn’t lend itself to social distancing.
Greene King will confirm at a later date which pubs will stay closed until then.
For opening times, customers can look up their local pub’s hours on the Greene King pub hub.
They’ll also be able to find booking details here too.
Customers will only be able to order drinks from their tables via staff members of the Greene King app.
But they will be able to order from the full menu as soon as doors open.
Customers are encouraged to book to guarantee a table but walk-ins will be accepted.
All the current government regulations will be followed, including groups of up to 30 people allowed outside in pub gardens in England.
Groups up to six people from different households or larger groups if they’re just from two households can sit at indoor tables in England.
Face coverings need to be worn while moving around the pub but not while sitting down at the table.
Customers will still need to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace in England or Test and Protect in Scotland.
Harvester
On May 17, Harvester will reopen more than 180 of its restaurants for indoor guests.
Opening times will vary from branch to branch so guests are advised to check the hours at their local restaurant.
The chain is owned by Mitchells & Butlers which says all of its brands will adhere to Covid safety measures.
These include guests scanning the NHS Test and Trace app or sharing details with a host on arrival.
Customers will have to remain seated as staff serve drinks and food via table service.
Harvester customers will be able to visit the salad bar to personalise their salads but a member of staff will serve them.
Everyone will be required to wear facemasks while they’re not at their tables.
In order to avoid missing out, Mitchells & Butlers is encouraging customers to book tables ahead of time although restaurants will accept walk-ins if there’s availability.
Honest Burgers
Honest Burgers are reopening 35 branches on May 17 although four will remain closed.
Customers will be required to check in via NHS Track and Trace and order food from their tables.
You can find individual branches’ opening hours on their website.
We’ve asked the burger chain which restaurants are staying closed and when they’ll reopen.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is reopening branches in England and Wales for indoor dining from May 17.
During lockdown the fast food chain has only been offering delivery and takeaways.
As it plans to reopen for dine-in customers, McDonald’s is prioritising safety by taking a “staggered approach” to opening its indoor spaces.
Restaurants will reopen with table service only, meaning families will have to order via the app before their meals are brought to them by a member of staff.
In some restaurants there will be limited seating in order to accommodate social distancing.
All customers will be asked to wear a face covering when entering the restaurant, unless they are exempt.
Customers are advised to check in with their local branch to see what the rules are before they travel.
The restaurant chain will continue to serve a limited menu and operate at reduced hours.
But it plans to expand the menu and extend opening hours in the coming months.
Nando’s
Nando’s is opening the vast majority of its restaurants for indoor dining on May 17.
The restaurant says they are going to launch a tracker on its website where people can check out which branches are open for dining-in.
The chain said opening times will most likely be 11.30am – 9.30pm but hours will vary from branch to branch so customers should check their local restaurant’s hours before travelling.
Each restaurant will be operating under a reduced capacity to help maintain social distancing with tables of up to six people maximum.
This means that there will be fewer tables available at any one time and waiting times to be seated might be a little longer than usual.
The chain says that every member of a party will need to complete track and trace details.
If demand is particularly high, then customers can turn to online click and collect services or home delivery.
Nando’s restaurants will also be operating a virtual queuing system via a QR code which can be scanned via a mobile phone.
They will then be allotted a virtual slot in the queue and will be alerted when their table is ready via a text message or notification.
Next, a member of the Nando’s team will then greet you at the door before leading you to your table.
To order, customers will need to scan a QR code, placing their order and paying via their phones.
All food, drinks, cutlery, PERi-PERi sauce and napkins will be brought to tables by a member of the restaurant team and dessert orders can be made at the table.
Tables will also be clear of the usual menu stands, cockerel sticks and saltshakers and will be completely cleaned down and swept before and after each use including tables, chairs and the surrounding floor.
O’Neills
On May 17, O’Neills will reopen 41 pubs for indoor guests on May 17.
Opening times will vary from pub to pub so guests are advised to check the hours at their local branch first.
The chain is owned by Mitchells & Butlers which says all of its brands will adhere to Covid safety measures.
These include guests scanning the NHS Test and Trace app or sharing details with a host on arrival.
Customers will have to remain seated as staff serve drinks and food via table service after ordering on the O’Neills that can be downloaded from the App store.
But there will be no ordering or standing at the bar.
Meanwhile, everyone will be required to wear facemasks while they’re not at their tables.
In order to avoid missing out, Mitchells & Butlers is encouraging customers to book tables ahead of time although the pubs will accept walk-ins if there’s availability.
Pizza Express
Pizza Express opened 143 restaurants for al fresco dining in April but now it is preparing to reopen 374 for indoor dining on May 17.
It will be the first time all of its branches have been opened since the first lockdown in March last year.
To celebrate reopening, Pizza Express is also given away free bottles of Peroni or a non-alcoholic alternative at any of its pizzerias around the country via a voucher that can be downloaded from its website.
The restaurants will return with a physically distanced layout and hand sanitizer stations.You can book a table or to find your closest pizzeria on the Pizza Express website.
Prezzo
Prezzo is reopening 145 restaurants on May 17 for indoor dining with just five staying closed until June 1.
To celebrate the reopening, Prezzo is also launching the biggest menu its ever had, including vegan Spaghetti Bolognese, tiramisu, king prawn and salmon risotto and goats cheese al forno.
Prezzo is also launching a brand new “Perfect for Lunch” selection, offering pizzetta style, smaller pizzas and pasta dishes served with a side salad.
Customers will need to follow Covid safety measures, including digital ordering by scanning a QR code, and following social distancing markers.
Tables will be limited to two households or a maximum of six people from multiple households.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays will be reopening 84 of its stores on May 17 with the exception of the Manchester Piccadilly branch.
But all restaurants will be adhering to stringent Covid safety measures.
These include social distancing queuing and management systems, hand sanitising stations and dedicated door hosts to guide guests.
To celebrate reopening, customers who download the TFI Fridays app will be able to get a free dessert, including the s’mores sundae or the chocolate fudge fixation.
Toby Carvery
On May 17, Toby Carvery will reopen more than 150 of its restaurants for indoor guests.
Opening times will vary from branch to branch so guests are advised to check the hours at their local restaurant.
The chain is owned by Mitchells & Butlers which says all of its brands will adhere to Covid safety measures.
These include guests scanning the NHS Test and Trace app or sharing details with a host on arrival.
Customers will have to remain seated as staff serve drinks and food via table service.
There will be no ordering or standing at the bar but customers can still visit the carvery to choose their meal although a staff member will serve them.
Everyone will be required to wear facemasks while they’re not at their tables.
In order to avoid missing out, Mitchells & Butlers is encouraging customers to book tables ahead of time although restaurants will accept walkins if there’s availability.
Wetherspoon’s
Wetherspoon’s is reopening 860 pubs for indoor service on May 17.
This is with the exception of six pubs in some airports and Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
Opening times will be Sunday to Thursday 8am to midnight.
Pubs will also be open on Friday and Saturday from 8am to 1am.
Customers will need to follow the standard government Covid guidelines, including NHS Test and Trace, table number limits and table service.
However, Wetherspoon’s says some pubs may close earlier than this so customers should check with their local branch.
The full menu will be available from May 17 too after the chain was serving a reduced menu since April 12.
Elsewhere, we've rounded up everything you need to know about rules easing on May 17.
The PM's four-step plan is expected to end when restrictions are completely lifted finally by June 21.
If you're keen to grab a pint indoors, we've also spoken to pubs about their rules when they reopen on May 17.
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