RESTAURANTS, pubs and attractions in north Essex are raring to go as lockdown restrictions ease on Monday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality and household mixing will return next week after stating that the data supports a further relaxation of measures. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues such as cinemas and soft play areas will be permitted to reopen indoors. Sheena Valentine, who runs The Victoria Inn, in North Station Road, Colchester, said she was very keen to welcome customers back next week. “This latest lockdown has gone on for too long and we are very much looking forward to reopening,” she said.
RESTAURANTS, pubs and attractions in north Essex are raring to go as lockdown restrictions ease on Monday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality and household mixing will return next week after stating that the data supports a further relaxation of measures. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues such as cinemas and soft play areas will be permitted to reopen indoors. Sheena Valentine, who runs The Victoria Inn, in North Station Road, Colchester, said she was very keen to welcome customers back next week. “This latest lockdown has gone on for too long and we are very much looking forward to reopening,” she said.
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Pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and museums across England are preparing to welcome back customers after Boris Johnson confirmed the return of indoor hospitality and attractions next Monday.
Social distancing markers, hand sanitising stations, mandatory pre-booking and the wearing of face masks are among the measures which will be in place when people return to venues which have been shut for months.
Cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls will reopen although there will be capacity limits on large events, while pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors but it will be table service only.
Among the policies being introduced are a virtual queuing system via a QR code at Nandos restaurants, Hollywood Bowl allowing visitors to wear their own shoes, and better air circulation at Vue cinemas.
Theatres to re-open in Shadwell, Dalston and Croydon as lockdown eases
Theatres to re-open soon. Pic: Kilyan Sockalingum
Theatre-lovers in Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Croydon will be able to attend live performances in the coming weeks after restrictions lift further on May 17.
Wilton’s Music Hall in Shadwell will open for its first show, EastEndless on May 28. The comical play following the lead character in his dream job on Eastenders that soon turns to a nightmare will have a running time of one hour.
Their website states: “Wilton’s has been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s ‘See It Safely’ mark”, providing audience members with the comfort of all safety precautions in place before arriving to the event.”
The reopening of theatres with social distancing and Covid protocols next week gives a “positive indication” that the industry can get back to normal soon, according to a leading arts charity.
However, Theatres Trust, which champions theatres in communities and supports community groups to save their local theatre, warned that it will still be impossible for many theatres to open their doors while there is a cap on capacity, and the theatres that do open with social distancing will be operating at a loss.
The Prime Minister has announced that cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls in England will be allowed to reopen from May 17 under step three on the road map out of lockdown, although there will be capacity limits on large events.