But after pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants were permitted to begin serving outdoors from 12th April as part of ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown – alongside the reopening of non-essential retail, gyms, libraries and outdoor attractions such as zoos and theme parks – hospitality businesses can finally welcome customers indoors from 17th May, at the earliest.
This means that, pending government review, for the first time in just over five months, we will be able to sit down inside our favourite local hangouts to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat with our friends and family.
The reopening of indoor hospitality comes amid an ongoing legal battle launched by Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord – who is also the co-founder of Parklife Festival and Warehouse Project – and Punch Taverns founder Hugh Osmond, who notably joined forces last month to take the government to court over restrictions as they argued that bars, restaurants and cafes should have been allowed to provide indoor service on the same date as non-essential retail resumes.
It’s estimated that the delay in reopening indoor hospitality could end up costing the sector £7 billion over the five weeks.
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But what will it be like?
What can we expect on our first indoor visit to a pub, restaurant, bar or cafe once ‘Step Three’ commences? What restrictions will be in place? Who can we visit with?
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Here’s everything you need to know.
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What restrictions will be in place?
While there is currently no legal requirement set out for customers to prove their COVID-19 status, a number of necessary COVID-safe measures will be in place at venues once indoor hospitality reopens on 17th May, at the earliest, which includes table service, spacing out tables to ensure social distancing, putting dividers up such as plastic screens, encouraging card payments, and installing hand sanitiser stations.
Some venues may have also have temperature checks in place upon entry.
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All venues must adhere to the restrictions set out by the government to ensure all staff and customers are kept safe.
Who can I visit a pub, restaurant, cafe or bar with?
From 17th May, at the earliest, the ‘rule of six’ and the mixing of two households / social bubbles of any size is set to apply for all indoor social gatherings, which crucially includes at hospitality venues.
For mixing outdoors, the rule changes once again to allow groups of 30 maximum.
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What other restrictions are being lifted from 17th May?
If the data allows it, as well as the reopening of indoor hospitality, further restrictions will be lifted on 17th May as part of ‘Step Three’ of lifting England’s lockdown, which are:
Up to 30 people from different households will be able to gather outdoors.
Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, hotels, museums, children’s play areas can reopen.
Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.
Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers.
Domestic overnight stays will be allowed with people not in your household or bubble.
The limit on guests attending weddings, receptions and wakes will increase to 30.
The government has also said it will update advice on social distancing measures no later than this stage, and this will also be the earliest date at which international holidays may be able to resume.
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This will all be subject to a prior government review.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Two Lilo and Stitch-themed cafes are coming to Manchester for the summer
Thomas Melia
Two new Lilo and Stitch-themed cafes are coming to Manchester for the summer.
With the long-awaited live action adaptation of the Disney classic Lilo & Stitch hitting cinemas this month, both Primark cafes in Manchester are receiving a Hawaiian-themed makeover.
Everyone’s favourite in-store cafe is back with another much-loved franchise, and this time its one of Disney cutest cartoon duos.
Both of Manchester‘s Primark cafes – the one off Market Street in the city centre, and inside Trafford Palazzo – will be transformed with themed decor and will receive an updated menu featuring food items inspired by Hawaii, which is where the film is based, of course.
Two Lilo and Stitch-themed cafes are coming to Manchester for the summer / Credit: Primark
Diners can expect a variety of Stitch-themed treats, including grilled toasties and waffles, and even refreshments like shakes, smoothies and lemonades.
All food and drink ordered from the themed cafes will be decorated with tropical-inspired packaging featuring some cute little stickers of the main blue guy himself on drinks.
The arrival of the Lilo & Stitch cafe does, of course, mean that Primark’s popular The Simpsons-themed cafe may be no more, but they couldn’t get rid of Homer’s favourite delicacy that easily, as instead, this sugary staple has been kept on the menu but just given a Lilo & Stitch twist.
Not only that, but the fashion giant will continue championing this much-loved franchise with over 100 new products ready for you to say ‘Aloha’ in style this summer.
Primark has a soft spot for Stitch, stocking products inspired by the adorable Disney character since 2016 – with everything from sleepwear and accessories to swim costumes and suitcases.
You can even buy an exclusive plush of Stitch that recreates his iconic pose from the upcoming live adaptation.
The ‘Lilo & Stitch’ cafe is coming to both of Manchester’s Primark locations including Market Street and Trafford Centre from 9 May ahead of the live adaptation coming to cinemas on 21 May.
Featured Images – Primark
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Ruben Amorim reportedly paying for staff members flights ahead of the Europa League final
Danny Jones
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly covering the cost of flights for several staff members and families around the club ahead of this month’s Europa League final.
Taking place on Wednesday, 21 May, Man United take on Spurs in UEFA’s second-string continental competition, giving the Red Devils a chance at lifting the trophy for the second time and, more importantly, getting into the Champions League next year.
Not only is this European final in a United manager’s maiden season a feat only previously achieved by Jose Mourinho, who also won it in his inaugural campaign at the club, but it also happens to be the first of Amorim’s career full stop.
With that in mind, the Portuguese head coach is hoping to rope in as much positivity and support as possible, so despite cost-cutting measures around the club over the last 18 months, Amorim is reaching into his own pocket to pay for staff and some of the family members to be at the final.
Ruben Amorim has paid for 30 of his Man United backroom staff to take their families to next week's Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, after being told by the club that his coaches, physios and support team would have to pay for their own tickets, sources have told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rC2GkGsvZb
Now this is the kind of leadership supporters like to see.
According to ESPN sports writer Mark Ogden, at least 30 members of his backroom staff have seen their travel to the final paid for after the club said they would not be covering the increasingly inflated prices, with flights to Bilbao unsurprisingly skyrocketing.
The Athletic‘s Mark Critchley has gone on to detail that “coaches, physios and support staff would instead be able to purchase up to two tickets”, while only two complimentary family tickets have been granted per player.
If you’re wondering why fans continue to make his name echo around the Theatre of Dreams in spite of poor performances, gestures like this should tell you why.
The 40-year-old’s debut Premier League season might be one to forget, with his team set to record United’s worst-ever finish, but a final at the first time of asking, even with a squad that’s visibly struggling to adjust to yet another period of overhaul, is still an achievement – especially a European one.
In addition to admitting that he’s been left “embarrassed” by the league form, he says one of his biggest fears is that everyone around Old Trafford is “losing the feeling of being a massive club”, both inside and out. Obviously, he’s hoping that potentially winning another European title will help fix that.
United played out a forgettable 2-0 loss to West Ham this past weekend in what should have felt like a bit of a free hit, but ultimately resulted in starting centre-back Leny Yoro picking up another injury and key players exerting a lot more energy than many would have hoped.
Most fans were expecting to see the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Amad Diallo and so on rested to keep that balance between sharpness and recovery, but many first-choice players played far more minutes than was arguably necessary.
Whether or not this is all in line with his thinking, we’ll have to wait and see when the Reds rock up to the Basque Country a week from now
The Manc -
29th April 2021 
