Chesterfield landlord wants regulars' views on vaccine passports as pubs reveal their reopening plans for April 12

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms can reopen, and pubs and restaurants can start serving customers outdoors from Monday, April 12.

Mr Johnson said he himself would be going to the pub ‘and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips’.

He also confirmed the reopening would not require customers to provide a Covid passport.

Trevor Marples, co-owner of the Butchers Arms at Brimington, said he would like to hear the public’s views on vaccine passports over the coming weeks.

“I’d be interested to hear what people thought about the use of vaccine passports between May 17 and June 21 for just the inside of the pub, with the outdoor staying the same, and hopefully everything back to ‘normal’ in June,” he said.

Trevor and business partner Nicola Claxton, who also own the Spotted Frog in Chesterfield, said they couldn’t wait to welcome customers again after a difficult year.

The Spotted Frog will reopen with eight ‘beach huts’ which are fully fitted with their own TV, heaters, Wi-Fi and USB connection and are in the process of launching our new app and booking system.

At the Tupton Tap pub, on Derby Road, Tupton, staff say they have been ‘inundated’ with messages and calls hoping to take bookings for the venue’s 15 outdoor tables from Monday.

Landlord Charlie Yapp said: “It feels like an eternity since we were open and running as normal so we’re looking forward to it and can’t wait to see people again.

"We want to make it as ‘pub-like’ as it can be while following the restrictions. I just hope it warms up as they’ve actually predicted snow on Monday.”

Fellow landlord Lewis Brown, who runs The Hop Flower at Inkersall, said: “The future is looking bright and we are excited to get open and see our wonderful customers once more.”

Staff at the Pig and Pump pub, in Chesterfield town centre, said they couldn’t wait to see customers again and would be opening on Monday, with outdoor tables available ‘on a first come, first served basis’.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper.