National pub chain JD Wetherspoon has announced that 394 of its UK pubs will reopen on 12th April – and 4 of them are in Southwark, writes Simon Throssell…
The list of Southwark Wetherspoon pubs that will reopen are:
- The Fox on the Hill, Camberwell
- The Capitol, Forest Hill
- The Moon & Stars, Penge
- The Surrey Docks, Rotherhithe
Notable absences from the list include The Rockingham Arms in Elephant and Castle, The Pommelers Rest by Tower Bridge and The Kentish Drovers in Peckham.
It is unlikely that these pubs will re-open from April 12 due to their lack of appropriate outdoor space.
Pubs can reopen for indoor dining from May 17 at the earliest.
The previous curfew has been lifted meaning the Wetherspoons will be open between 9 am and 9 pm Sunday to Thursday, and 9 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
People will no longer need to order a ‘substantial meal’ with an alcoholic drink but they will have to order, eat and drink seated outside.
Food will be available to order between 9 am and 8 pm with a slightly reduced menu but will still include breakfast, burgers, pizza, deli deals, fish and chips and British classics.
Customers will be able to order and pay through the Wetherspoon app, however, staff will be able to take orders and payment at the table from those who don’t have the app.
The pubs will not be operating a booking system and customers will be able to enter the pub to gain access to the outside area and also to use the toilet.
Test and trace will be in operation and hand sanitisers will be available.
Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs.”
READ MORE: Roadmap to ‘independence day’ set out with potential end to all restrictions in June