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.
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?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Flickr
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.
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.
Flickr
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.
This will all be subject to a prior government review.
___
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.
#HandsFaceSpace
Trending
Pep Guardiola hints at when Manchester City fans can expect to see their latest arrival
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given supporters a rough timeline as to when they can expect to see their new signing, or at least their latest arrival, make his first appearance.
The Blues wrapped up the January transfer window with four major signings: their new attacking number seven, Omar Marmoush (who has already bagged a hattrick on his home debut) promising defensive duo, Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian Vitor Reis, as well as their ‘mini-Rodri’, Nico Gonzalez.
However, the club has had another late arrival who was technically signed back at the start of last year but who has spent for the last 12 months or so loaned back to his previous parent club, River Plate in Argentina, waiting to make the move over to the Etihad Stadium – and now he’s here in Manchester.
Speaking on his touchdown in 0161, Pep said Claudio Echeverri won’t be thrown into first-team action straight away but did give a rough estimate as to when City fans could expect him to get involved. You can see him discussing the integration plan in his post-match press conference following the Spurs win.
The mention was only brief but there’s still plenty of reason for Man City fans to be excited by the late January signing.
“Yeah, he [Claudio Echeverri] is going to start to train and mainly will be for the end of the season, maybe the [Club] World Cup and as soon as possible [that] he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”
As mentioned, the 19-year-old Argentinian attacking midfielder from Resistencia officially put pen to paper with CFG back in January 2024 and was quickly dubbed ‘the next Messi’.
Now, although the football world is often quick to jump the gun with these things and he isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last to be slapped with this premature title, he’s done more to back up these claims since then than he has rubbish them.
Starring at the 2025 Under-20 South American Championships, netting six goals in nine games to finish the tournament as the second highest scorer thanks to notable braces against Brazil and Uruguay as the young Argentine’s finished as runners up.
He also notched 48 senior appearances for River Plate thus far, netting four goals and grabbing eight assists in that time, not to mention having already captained his national team at the 2023 Under 17s World Cup, where he scored another five.
Safe to say there’s plenty of talent to be tapped in this lad.
Once again, Echeverri won’t go straight into the senior set-up for a little while yet, barring a major injury crisis, but he’ll be a more than exciting addition to the City Football Academy and for future first-team lineups for years to come.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be included in an FA Cup matchday squad? Nevertheless, you can expect him to not just come of the bench but hopefully show what he can do at the Club World Cup this summer.
City‘s first fixture as reigning champions of the competition will be against Moroccan side Wydad AC on 18 June 2025.
You can watch Echeverri’s first full interview as a Man City player down below:
The new Man City signing is excited to be finally be part of the club 13 months on from agreeing his contract.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
The Manc -
29th April 2021 
