Marston’s to reopen 1,200 pubs from July 4 – and you can book a table now

PUB owner Marston’s plans to reopen roughly 1,200 of its boozers from July 4 – and you can book a table now.

Marston’s was forced to shut its 1,400 pubs across the UK in March due to the coronavirus crisis.

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But after Boris Johnson this week gave permission for pubs to reopen next month, Marston’s is now planning the return of a majority of its 1,400 pubs.

Keen pint drinkers can book a table at their nearest Marston’s pub already, either through its website or by phoning a pub.

You can find your nearest one including contact details by using its pub locator tool.

Customers can also still walk in and Marston’s said it’ll do it’s best to accommodate.

But it could be worth booking a table in advance as some pubs are already fully booked on July 4.

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The opening hours at Marston’s will be largely the same as before lockdown, which typically are between 11am until 11pm every day.

Marston’s said it’ll operate a limited menu, but it hasn’t yet clarified what items it’s removed but said favourites will still be available.

A spokesperson told The Sun it’s running a simplified menu in order to keep the speed of service given restrictions on the number of people in pubs and in order to keep queueing to a minimum.

It’s also reduced the menu in order to maintain social distancing between kitchen staff, they added.

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Other coronavirus safety measures include a daily health check declaration for staff.

Customers will be directed around the pub with arrows and metre spacing floor graphics.

Marston’s will also provide single use menus which will be thrown away and recycled after each customer.

Plus, there’ll be hand sanitisers at the entrance and in other areas of the pub.

Customers can order directly at the bar within clearly marked lines and behind perspex screens, or from the table using an online system, which will be available later in July.

You’ll be able to pay by cash, although card payments are preferred.

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In other pub news, Wetherspoons plans to reopen 750 pubs on July 4 – but you can’t book a table in advance.

We’ve taken a first look inside one of its pubs, which has been redesigned with coronavirus safety measures.

A couple of weeks ago, we also had a look inside a Greene King pub with 60 per cent seat capacity and one in, one out toilets.