Brits face waiting WEEKS to get a table at a pub or restaurant as businesses rammed with thousands of bookings

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BRITS could face waiting WEEKS to get a table at a pub or restaurant as businesses have already been rammed with thousands of bookings.

Pubs and restaurants are set to reopen for outdoor service from April 12 at the earliest, as long as the roadmap out of lockdown stays on schedule. 

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Pubs are already been flooded with bookings ahead of next month

They will then be given the green light to offer indoor seating from May 17, providing specific Covid conditions are met.

But some places say they’re already “absolutely chocka” with bookings – with some reportedly facing up to twice as many reservations compared to when they reopened last July following the first lockdown.

Fuller’s – which will reopen 183 pubs from next month – says it’s seeing a “high level of bookings”, according to Daily Mail.

Wagamamas and Frankie & Benny’s are also reportedly noting “really strong interest” in its outside tables.

Brits have been complaining about not being able to get a table on social media

The newspaper also reports how D&D, which has 42 restaurants, has taken 50,000 reservations already and is fully reserved “well into May” in some areas.

Meanwhile, Rick Stein says 20,000 customers have booked into its Cornish restaurants in the last two weeks alone.

Thirsty Brits have been complaining about not being able to get a table on Twitter.

One person said: “Cool how every pub is already pre-booked for all of April and May.”

Another said: “All the restaurants on my list are not showing bookings or fully booked.”

A third said: “Outdoor restaurants are already fully booked for easing of lockdown come April 12th. British people are not playing games wow.”

A fourth added: “I was on the phone to Coppa Club from yesterday and only managed to get a May booking today.”

How booked up a restaurant or pub chain is will vary across all its locations, so it’s best to get in contact with the exact branch you plan on visiting to see if they have tables.

Young’s and Fuller’s are just some of the places accepting bookings already – we’ve got a full round up of how you can book a table here.

Greene King will also reopen 442 pubs from next month, with its booking system open from March 28.

But not all establishments are taking bookings – for example, Wetherspoon and Nando’s aren’t allowing reservations.

Instead, you need to turn up on the day and wait for a table to be free.

Wetherspoon plans on reopening 400 of its pubs from next month.

Punters will have to follow a strict set of rules when pubs and restaurants do open again.

Even for outdoor bookings, boozers must only offer table service and social distancing will still need to be observed.

In better news, the hated 10pm curfew will be scrapped and drinkers won’t have to order a substantial meal with their alcohol, putting an end to the Scotch egg debate.

Which shops are open during lockdown? We round up a full list of essential stores.

Non-essential retail isn’t expected to open until at least April 12 as part of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

You can still get a Maccies for dinner during lockdown – but there are some major changes to how you can get your food this time.