Britons will splurge £836million next week as indoor eating and drinking curbs are finally lifted… so what CAN you do from Monday?
- Britons will splash out an extra £836million next week as Covid restrictions ease
- Hospitality businesses report a surge in bookings as we return to indoor eating
- While pubs expect to serve a staggering three million pints on Monday alone
- High street bosses will bring back 865,000 workers from furlough after closure
- From Monday, holidays abroad are also allowed and hugging between families
Britons will splash out an extra £836million next week as the nation toasts a return to indoor eating and drinking for the first time this year.
Hospitality businesses have reported a surge in bookings and pubs said they expect to serve three million pints on Monday alone.
The milestone will mark a return for 45,000 pubs, with 2,000 still shuttered.
Meanwhile, the renaissance on the high street will also let bosses bring back 865,000 workers from furlough after the 18-week closure.
More than 600,000 jobs have already been lost in the sector, while more than 12,000 venues have been lost since December 2019.
£51bn boom in staycations
As hotels and B&Bs prepare to reopen their doors, industry bosses are predicting a domestic tourism boom worth more than £50billion.
A change in the rules on Monday means that holiday groups from different households, such as families with children and grandparents, will finally be able to take a break together.
The staycation boost comes just in time to revive an industry on its knees.
Experts at VisitBritain expect domestic tourism spending will surge by 51 per cent this year compared with last year, taking it to £51.4billion.
They are forecasting spending of £38.6billion on day trips to the seaside and other destinations, and spending of £13.5billion on longer stays such as in holiday parks, cottages and hotels.
But, with spring and Easter bookings already lost, domestic tourism spending this year is expected to be 56 per cent below 2019.
Alistair Handyside, of the South West Tourism Alliance, warned that some holiday cottage owners have doubled prices to take advantage of those desperate for a break, but many are treating customers fairly.
But consumers rushing out to socialise indoors will boost spending to £24.5billion next week. That is £836million more than consumers spent in each of the past five weeks, the Centre for Economics and Business Research said.
Dave Potts, the chief executive of supermarket Morrisons, which will reopen 400 cafes on Monday, said: ‘The country seems to be booming, and customers are certainly in a spend, spend, spend mode.
‘While the pandemic is not over, it is in retreat.’
And Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘The countdown to freedom, and recovery, is on.’
Clive Watson, City Pub Group’s chief executive, said: ‘We’ve already seen a big surge of online bookings for next week and beyond: this puts us back on track.’
While CEBR director Doug McWilliams said: ‘The consumer has plenty of money to spend. All the data we’ve already seen has been very positive indeed, and that’s even before the end of lockdown.’
However, 2,000 pubs will remain shut on Monday until all restrictions have been lifted, which the Prime Minister has said will happen on June 21.
Until then, the ‘rule of six’ and the one-metre-plus social-distancing rule will remain in place, keeping many businesses, such as nightclubs, shut.
Bosses demanded Mr Johnson stick to his plan to hand businesses a great British summer.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: ‘Monday’s reopening of indoor hospitality is a huge moment on the road to recovery and we are pleased to be reaching this milestone. However, it is a psychological reopening, not an economic one.
The capacity restrictions which will remain in place until June 21 significantly limit the ability of venues to be profitable and therefore viable in the long term.’
Pub and restaurant groups lost 60 per cent of their sales in April compared to the same month in 2019, according to data from CGA.
After an early rush, colder weather led to the number of punters thinning. Many venues shut their gardens due to rain and snow, and put staff back on furlough.
Monday’s reopening follows releases of positive economic data. A report from Barclaycard, published this week, reported that consumer confidence in April was the highest it had been since the pandemic began.
And economic growth is set to rise more than 7 per cent this year, according to the Bank of England, the fastest rate since 1981.
We DO like Mondays! What’s on from May 17
MEETING OUTDOORS
Groups of up to 30 can meet outdoors. Previously this was limited to just six people from any number of households, or a group of any size from up to two households.
MEETING INDOORS
Six people or two households can meet indoors. One of the most significant relaxations, as current rules have effectively barred many families from meeting up in each other’s homes.
Indoor meeting with other households is still banned apart from strict exemptions, such as letting a tradesman into a home.
Hospitality businesses have reported a surge in bookings and pubs said they expect to serve three million pints on Monday alone as people return to indoor eating (stock image)
OVERNIGHT STAYS
Friends and family members who live separately can now stay overnight at each other’s homes, subject to indoor meeting rules.
HUGGING
More contact will be allowed between friends and family, including hugging, using ‘personal judgment’. This is a key step towards the end of social distancing. The Government hopes that ‘all legal limits on social contact’ can be dropped by June 21.
As Covid restrictions ease from Monday, more contact will be allowed between friends and family, including hugging, using ‘personal judgment’ (stock image)
HOLIDAYS
Holidays abroad will be allowed within the traffic light’ system. Trips have been limited to people with a ‘reasonable excuse’ such as a family tragedy.
Britons can travel to a limited number of ‘green list’ countries, such as Portugal and Gibraltar, without facing quarantine when they return.
Meanwhile, holidays abroad will be allowed within the traffic light’ system. Trips have been limited to people with a ‘reasonable excuse’ such as a family tragedy (stock image)
EATING & DRINKING
Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to serve customers indoors. They have been outdoors-only since April 12, when hospitality reopened after lockdown.
Customers will be required to wear masks when not seated, such as when being shown to a table or going to the toilet.
Capacity will also be restricted to make social distancing possible. Venues will also be expected to ensure customers check in with NHS track and trace. In most venues, guests will be required to stay seated while ordering, eating and drinking.
CINEMA & THEATRE
Indoor entertainment such as cinemas, museums and theatres can open. These have been some of the worst-hit venues in the pandemic, with many closed since last March. Audiences will be socially distanced.
Indoor entertainment such as cinemas, museums and theatres – many of which have been closed since last March – can open while audiences will be socially distanced (stock image)
HOTELS AND B&Bs
Hotels and B&Bs can open. The relaxation of rules means guests can stay overnight, dine indoors and also use facilities such as spas and pools. Many, like the Ritz in London, have been working to become Covid secure.
Hotels and B&Bs are advised to minimise the time taken for things such as check-in. Previously hotel stays were allowed only for essential reasons such as work.
The relaxation of rules from next week mean guests can stay overnight at hotels and B&Bs, dine indoors and also use facilities such as spas and pools (stock image)
GYM CLASSES
Indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart. Outdoor group activities have been allowed since April 12, but indoor exercise has been limited to those on their own.
Indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart after only outdoor group activities have been allowed since April 12 (stock image)
FUNERALS
The cap of 30 on the number of mourners allowed at funerals will finally be lifted with venues setting limits based on capacity. Venues will be told to ensure social distancing is possible.
The Daily Mail campaigned to lift the cap after harrowing stories of families unable to grieve together, with some forced to watch live streams of services.
WEDDINGS
Up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings and other significant life events. These had previously been capped to 15, including the bride and groom.
Social distancing is required, and guests are advised not to dance and sing – although the couple can have the first dance.
From Monday, pp to 30 people will be allowed at weddings and other life events, but guests are still urged not to dance – although the couple can have the first dance (stock image)
CONCERTS
Performances and indoor sporting events can be half full up to a capacity of 1,000. This follows the successful trial at events including the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible in Sheffield.
OUTDOOR SPORTS
Outdoor sporting events and performances can be half full up to a capacity of 4,000. At the biggest seated venues, such as Wembley Stadium, up to 10,000 fans will be allowed.
There were 4,000 supporters at the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley last month for a trial run.
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