South Shields Wetherspoons pub The Wouldhave tells customers to bring 'blanket, brolly or sunscreen' as pub prepares to open as lockdown eases on April 12 - here's what you need to know about booking, food, service, precautions and toilets

The Wouldhave, Mile End Road, reopened in 2020 with a new beer garden after an extensive refurbishment. It is now preparing to open on April 12.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the opening date for outdoor hospitality at a press conference on Easter Monday, and pub landlords and managers planning to open outdoor areas next week have begun.

And with changeable weather of late – which has seen us lurch from warm sunny days to chill winds and even snow – The Wouldhave is advising customers to come prepared, as the pub’s beer garden will be open all weathers.

A sign reads: “Come rain or shine, (on) April 12 our garden will be open. Bring your own blanket, brolly or sunscreen.”

Wetherspoon began work on the £2.2million revamp of its pub in Mile End Road in October 2019, and it was originally due to reopen on March 24, 2020 – with the events of the pandemic making that impossible.

It finally reopened in September 2020. Local restrictions began later that month, and pubs in South Tyneside have not been able to open at all since last autumn due to various local and national lockdowns.

But the work on the exterior of the pub will serve it well as restrictions lift to allow for outdoor hospitality.

As part of the expansion and revamp project, Wetherspoon bought the former night club building next door, was partially demolished to create the new split-level terrace garden.

In total, Wetherspoon is to open beer gardens, roof top gardens and patios at 394 of its pubs in England from Monday April 12.

The pubs will be open from 9am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to 10pm Friday and Saturday, although some have restrictions on closing times and in those cases will close earlier.

Will I be able to order food?

Wetherspoon says its pubs will offer a slightly reduced menu, to include breakfast, burgers, pizza, deli deals, fish and chips and British classics. Food will be available from 9am to 8pm seven days a week.

How will service work?

Customers will be able to order and pay through the Wetherspoon app, however, Wetherspoon staff will be able to take orders and payment at the table from those who don’t have the app.

Do I have to book?

Wetherspoon pubs will not be operating a booking system. Customers will be able to enter the pub to gain access to the outside area and also to use the toilet.

What other precautions are in place?

Test and trace will be in operation and hand sanitisers will be available.

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