One million Bank Holiday Monday punters to flock to pubs and restaurants despite heavy rain forecasts

A MILLION Bank Holiday Monday punters were expected to flock to pubs and restaurants today — despite forecasts of heavy rain for many.

Four million pints and 300,000 bottles of wine will be knocked back, with drinkers sheltering under new roofs at 40,000 boozers.

🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates

2

Bars have spent £50million improving their outdoor areas as indoor drinking remains banned until May 17 at the earliest.

And a £1.1billion Bank Holiday spending spree will boost pubs and shops today, a study by VoucherCodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research shows.

A British Beer and Pub Association spokesman said: “Pub-goers missed numerous Bank Holidays since last March due to lockdowns, so a visit to pubs this Bank Holiday means a pint of draught beer will taste all the sweeter.”

Indoor shopping centres and retail parks were braced for a rush as most of today’s seven million shoppers head there rather than brave the expected downpours.

2

 

 

It will be shops’ biggest test of Covid-secure measures so far.

Extra security guards will manage queues and ensure social distancing.

And in a move that will not ­disappoint everyone, many Morris troupes will perform online to avoid the crowds and wet weather.