Pub chain Young’s plans to reopen its venues from mid-July with one-metre social distancing enforced

British pub chain Young’s plans to reopen its venues in London from mid-July with one-metre social distancing enforced and hopes to have all of its 276 sites open by August 3.

The firm is set to implement the measures in its beer gardens and will also introduce a thorough sanitising system.

Young’s was given a three-month rent holiday for its tenanted pubs when lockdown began in March. 

British pub chain Young’s (the firm’s The Flask pub in Hampstead, left) plans to reopen its venues in London from mid-July. Right: the company’s chief executive, Patrick Dardis

Chief Executive Patrick Dardis said: ‘One thing we can be sure of is that at some point the pandemic will pass.

‘The fabulous weather we have experienced so far this spring has been a gentle reminder of the enormous opportunity our business has to bounce back once it’s safe for the government’s restrictions to be lifted.

‘I am looking forward to all of our team reuniting, opening the doors to our great pubs and welcoming back our customers once we are through this.’

The company, which has over 200 establishments, also published its preliminary results for 52 weeks ending March 30 today.

Young’s noted that the pandemic had a ‘significant’ impact on its performance due to the closure of its pubs for the final 10 days of the financial year.

In the report, Mr Dardis commented: ‘I am proud of the performance of our business this year despite the unique challenges that we have faced. These results demonstrate the continued strength of our strategy of operating a differentiated, premium and well-invested pub estate.’ 

‘The purchase of five of the finest pubs in and around our south-west London heartland and the Surrey suburbs was a real stand out acquisition for us. Their premium offer is a perfect fit for Young’s.’ 

He added: ‘We are grateful for the positive moves made by the Chancellor, extending the Job Retention Scheme to October and the £14.5 million relief we will receive from the business rates holiday to ensure that great businesses like ours survive these particularly tough times.’ 

‘We are confident with the steps we have taken to safeguard our business from the immediate threat of coronavirus. The board expects the business to be in a position to return to profitable growth when this unprecedented period is at an end and conditions allow, and we remain confident in our proven strategy.’

More to follow…