UK restaurants and pubs see spike in bookings for planned reopening

Venues prepare to be busy from 12 April if coronavirus data allows outdoor hospitality to reopen

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Restaurants and bars with outdoor seating say bookings are at unprecedentedly high levels before a possible reopening next Monday, with people eager not to miss their first chance to eat out since lockdown was imposed.

Some venues have invested vast amounts of money to accommodate guests outside before the government's planned reopening of outdoor hospitality on 12 April if the coronavirus data allows it. Punch Pubs, for example, invested 1m in its beer gardens and outside spaces.