People stand and walk past the terrace of a pub, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions ease, in London, Britain, April 16, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
England s beleaguered hospitality sector is hoping a court ruling could allow it to reopen earlier than planned after beginning legal proceedings against the government at the High Court in London.
Restaurants and pubs in England have been hard-hit by successive lockdowns, and although they were allowed to reopen on April 12 at the latest stage of emergence from lockdown, it was only to serve customers in outdoor areas.
On the same date, non-essential shops reopened, unrestricted, and leading lights in the hospitality sector say there is no justification or scientific evidence to back up why they should have to wait another five weeks until the next, still incomplete, level of reopening.
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Last modified on Tue 20 Apr 2021 05.45 EDT
A week ago, many hospitality venues in England threw open their doors after months of closure due to coronavirus restrictions. However, they were allowed to operate outdoors only, posing challenges for many venues and preventing the reopening plans of others altogether.
Four hospitality venue owners shared their experience of last week.
âItâs like a dam has burst and weâre trying to manage the impactâ
âThe past few weeks have been intense,â said Steve Ryan, who runs the brewery and taproom 40FT in Newington Green in London.
40FT taproom in Newington Green, London. Photograph: Steve Ryan/Guardian Community