Seven Liverpool city pubs confirm they’re reopening on April 12

Seven popular Liverpool bars have confirmed they’re planning to reopen on April 12.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month laid out his “roadmap” out of lockdown, including when we can expect to see non-essential retailers, bars, restaurants and pubs open their doors again.

The plan will see restrictions lifted in four stages; kicking off on March 8 when schools and colleges reopened to all pupils and socialising in outdoor public spaces, such as parks, became permitted between two people.

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A further easing of the restrictions will take place on March 29, when six people or two households will be allowed to gather.

At each stage, the government will be looking at four key tests which must be met in order for restrictions to be eased.

They include the vaccine-roll out continuing successfully, vaccine efficacy, infection rates and hospitals and new variants.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that once bars, pubs and restaurants reopen, there will be no curfew in place and no need for alcohol to be accompanied by a “substantial meal”, as was the case last year.

Pubs and restaurants in England will be able to start reopening outdoor areas from mid-April, but indoor spaces including pubs, bars and hotels will have to remain closed until May.

Pubs, bars and restaurants are expected to reopen fully from May 17, but these dates are subject to change depending on the data meeting England’s “four tests”.

And some Liverpool bars have confirmed plans to reopen next month.

After recently creating more than 100 jobs in the local hospitality sector, Liverpool independent Pub Invest Group has announced seven of their city centre based sites will be opening on April 12, in line with the government’s plans.

Which Liverpool bars will reopen next month?

Popular Pub Invest Group sites in the city that will be opening include Soho, Moloko, Einstein, Peacock, Celtic Corner and both of the city centre McCooleys sites. These sites have a mixture of terraces, patios and rooftops – some with a mixture of both.

Phil Gillespie, head of marketing for Pub Invest Group said: “There doesn’t appear to be any new rules in place for the next batch of reopenings – just a reintroduction of the previous ones, but the general public have by and large grown used to these now.

“We’re happy the curfew has been scrapped which made no sense in controlling transmission of the virus or allowing our businesses hope of making money, which is positive news.

“I think the plans for reopening will be tentative until the dates look solid, however it’s not just a case of opening the doors. There are supply chain and staffing issues which might affect the first few weeks after opening behind the scenes but we’re excited that the appetite to get back into the bars is there from the public. The enquiries are through the roof.”

The largest independent operator in Liverpool, Pub Invest Group, which owns other sites in the city such as Level, Rubber Soul Complex, Sgt Peppers and Brooklyn Mixer, will look to roll out more openings in May as well as June in line with government guidelines.

Liverpool Echo – What’s On