Boris Johnson STILL hasn't confirmed July 4 opening for hospitality firms. But the owners of more than 400 pubs and bars across the U.K. have told customers they will open then no matter what - the list includes Peach Pubs, Albion & East, Oakman Inns + Urban Village Pubs.

Sarah Weir, the founder of London restaurant and bar group Albion & East, is opening her sites in Brixton, Hackney and Islington on July 4 to ‘save the company’.
She said she will have to lay off a quarter of her 110 staff if that date is delayed.

The reopening rebellion is led by @PeterBorgNeal of Oakman Inns, who decided to ‘crack on’ with opening his 28 pubs on July 4 after the Seafood Pub Company, founded by his close friend Jocelyn Neve, went into administration last Tuesday. 'That tipped me over the edge,’ he said.

With less than two weeks to go until July 4, Hamish Stoddart of @PeachPubs said the Government’s lack of direction had ‘created chaos’. ‘It’s a chicken and egg situation,’ he said. ‘Unless someone in the supply chain commits to an opening date, nothing works.’

Hospitality bosses report ‘incredible’ demand from customers keen to socialise again after three months of lockdown. By Friday night, @OakmanInns had taken 3,000 bookings for postponed birthdays, weddings and wakes. @PeachPubs took 2,000 bookings in seven hours last Friday.

Ian Grundy, the co-founder of Urban Village Pubs, said: ‘The Government’s dithering on this issue penalises responsible companies who are trying to open sensibly and with the safety of their teams and customers in mind.’

Fullers CEO Simon Emeny will only reopen 27 of his 393 pubs with two-metre distancing. He said: ‘We asked for four weeks’ notice, we asked for one metre social distancing & we have had neither. So we are going to keep 90 per cent of our estate closed on July 4.' @HospoUnion