England unlocks: Brits brave sub-zero temperatures to enjoy newfound freedoms

For those who just couldn’t wait for their first post-lockdown tipple, The Kentish Belle in Bexley was ready to go from when the clock struck midnight. Nicholas Hair, the owner, joked “Why am I here – I should be in bed!” as he carted tables and chairs outside.The team counted down from five and Hair declared: “Ladies and gentlemen – take your seats,” with outstretched arms and a broad grin. Patrons didn’t need to be told twice. One man was sporting a dressing gown as he sat down and took his first sip of freedom. 

Following their lead once the sun had come up were a group of young women from Huddersfield who frequented their local at 8:15, washing down their bowls of cereal with a cold pint. One of the ladies told Good Morning Britain’s Nick Dixon, “It’s not that cold after a while”. Dixon closed the segment by saying, “They’re being pretty brave about the weather. I’m wearing a scarf – it’s minus one”. 

Further South in Cranleigh, two men also didn’t let the weather deter them as they sat outside Yangaz Bistro Grill tucking into a full english breakfast with an umbrella shielding them from the snow. Matt Hannon, a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, captioned the photograph “Eat Out and then Thaw Out,” while the Financial Times’ Sebastian Payne simply called them “patriots”. 

Establishments can now serve groups of up to six or two households outside. The 10pm curfew of the last lockdown has been scrapped, as has the policy requiring a “substantial meal” with every drink – there’s not a Scotch egg in sight. 

Eager not to miss out on any business opportunities, some venues have been adapted and revamped for the day. Taunton’s Brazz has set up a luxury marque with capacity for 100 people, to allow them to re-open until indoor hospitality is permitted. The outdoor pop-up has been named ‘Brazz on the Green’ and comes complete with wooden flooring and some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The innovation has gone down a treat with locals with several dates this week already fully booked.

Preparation has also been underway for weeks for Richard Gladwin, one third of the Gladwin brothers. The trio own four restaurants around London (The Shed, Rabbit, Sussex and Nutbourne) run on an ethos of “local and wild” to bring a taste of the countryside into the capital. In Chelsea’s Rabbit, which ordinarily lacks outdoor space, an outdoor kiosk has been erected and named the ‘Rabbit Hutch’. Teaming up with King’s Road retail, Rabbit is offering coupons for a drink if locals buy items from the surrounding shops. 

The decision not to take bookings by sister restaurant, The Shed – which is tucked away in Notting Hill and “treated as their restaurant at the end of the road by locals” – will be music to the ears of many. Gladwin hopes this will encourage an eager community of foodies and drinks connoisseurs, while removing the “stressful element” that now swamps hospitality plans. They are also using this first month of reopening as a chance for “staff to stretch their legs” before the hospitality sector’s big day on 17 May.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for all. James Kalen, a pub landlord who runs The Marlborough in Wiltshire, spent £50,000 building The Chalet, an outdoor wooden structure which he fitted with a pizza oven, bar and TV. However, Wiltshire Council informed him a week before opening that the establishment falls short of guidance, which states that outdoor structures must have at least 50 per cent of their walls open when in use. Now, unable to welcome in customers due to the technicality, Kalen told BBC News he was “livid”. 

In true British fashion, snowfall across the country heralded the arrival of Step Two. Yet pub-goers, donning hats, coats and dressing gowns, didn’t let these chilly temperatures deter them. The only thing that may have delayed their visit was a trip to the hairdresser’s. A YouGov survey found that people were more excited for a post-lockdown trim than a post-lockdown pint by 12 per cent. Luckily, they open their doors today too.