It is believed that Brighton pubs will return to something near full operation in July, per Whitehall sources.

Pubs and restaurants won’t be able to fully open until at least July, according to government sources.

As is becoming the strategy norm these days, the Tory party has leaked details of its post-lockdown roadmap to the press almost a week ahead of its official release.

The Daily Mail reports that hospitality will be forced to wait until July for a proper reopening (albeit with social distancing in place) whilst workplaces, schools, gyms, non essential shops, and basically absolutely everything else can restart from April.

Todays reopening date "leak" is VERY concerning.

Safety must come first and hospitality creates safe, secure, regulated environments.

If true, I predict with the weather changing, more household mixing.

This isn't just about business, this is also about our mental health.

— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) February 17, 2021

The hospitality sector has been brought to its knees by the Covid pandemic. The industry is one of the largest economic forces, and employers, in the nation, yet the government seems hell bent on placing it dead last in all planning.

To date there has been no compelling research showing that hospitality venues play a large part in viral transmission – especially when compared to schools, transport and offices.

Leading industry figures have voiced concerns over the new leaks.

Absolutely no way
The Government could justify pubs being closed for another 11 weeks. #NONE

— Adam Brooks (@EssexPR) February 16, 2021

Not sure how some people took my tweets last night as me saying pubs should open NOW..
I’ve clearly been calling for April.
That’s 6/7 weeks time.
For media speculation to keep saying May, 11 weeks time, is unsettling and disturbing to this industry.
Many won’t survive.

— Adam Brooks (@EssexPR) February 17, 2021

Speaking to the Morning Advertiser, Tim Tomlinson, who operates three pubs throughout Lancashire, has responded to a Stirling University report that claims venues cannot adequately keep venues safe.

“I would challenge that other important areas of social interaction have far less control and oversight and therefore carry higher risks of transmission than pubs and bars,” he said.

“Ask anyone going to work at the moment in a factory, office or building site and see how rigorous their spacing and sanitisation is? Familiarity is one of the main reasons why people drop their safeguards and workplaces are clearly a big area where this is the case. None of these factors apply to pubs and bars.”