‘It’s been a long old wait so a few more weeks isn’t so bad’ - Wakefield pub landlords on roadmap out of Covid lockdown

Louise Waters at Harry's in Wakefield city centre

Beer gardens and outside dining at cafes and restaurants can resume on April 12.

Customers will have to be seated but there will be no need to have a meal with alcohol and no curfew has been set.

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Louise Waters run Harry’s Bar off Westgate in the city centre.

Harry’s was one of many to adapt to 2020’s guidelines with outside seating and beer takeaways, among other schemes.

Now Louise is cautiously optimistic about the future.

She said: “We’re bit fed up but I suppose there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I think it’s reasonable to be cautious and the government have made it clear everything has to be in line to get the next stages open so we will see.

“Really excited to at least get the outside open and we are taking bookings already.

“It’s been a long old wait so I suppose a few more weeks isn’t so bad.”

Shaun Slater, landlord at the Black Rock, will have to wait a little longer to open.

The popular Cross Square pub has little in the way of outside space and will have to wait until customers are allowed back inside.

Shaun said: “Its got to be staggered or we’ll be back in lockdown.

“The next month will be difficult as people are getting confident after the jab and venturing out already.

“It’s the news we all need though I won’t be able to open until May. However, providing all restrictions are lifted by June 21 it could work.”

Scott Wilson owns Beastfair Vaults and the Liquorice Bush in Pontefract.

He said: “I think the plan, if executed is a great way to lead us out of the lockdown.

“The hospitality industry has been the hardest hit, and has suffered greatly due to all the restrictions placed on us. Let’s just hope that a much brighter future is in store for one of Britain’s greatest institutions – the Great British Pub.”

Four key tests will have to be met as each stage of measures are lifted.

They are – the success of the mass vaccination programme, the reduction of hospital admissions and deaths, the dropping off of infection rates, and that there are no new Covid variants in the country that are causing concern.