PUB landlords are looking forward to reopening in the coming months - although many have concerns about how busy April will be as customers will not be allowed inside the venues.

Pubs in Bridport and surrounding areas are preparing to reopen in either April or May.

The 'roadmap' for England's exit from the national lockdown states that pubs could be open from April 12 – but only serving customers outdoors. Pubs which do not have the outdoor space available will be unable to reopen then.

The earliest date hospitality venues can seat customers indoors will be from May 17, and all restrictions look set to be lifted by June 21.

Geraldine Baker, landlady of the Ropemakers on West Street, Bridport, said: "We’re hoping to reopen in April. We’re lucky we have an outside area but you’ve got to weigh up whether the costs of opening are worth doing so.

"There are so many variables, particularly the weather. A bunch of people could be booked to come in for lunch and then we’d have to cancel them because it’s raining and they can’t sit outside."

Clare Pimbley, landlady of the Half Moon in Melplash, said: "We will be opening in April but to be honest, we’d prefer to be properly closed until May rather than having to open with restrictions. It just complicates things.

"It is entirely dependant on the weather. The government has said any marquees put up must not be enclosed. April was lovely last year but doesn’t necessarily mean it will be again.

"We’re looking forward to being able to open again in May with no restrictions."

A number of measures that will help support pubs were announced in yesterday's Budget including an extension to the 5 per cent reduction in VAT, a business rates holiday and a freeze on alcohol duties.

Bridport's Crown Inn will not be reopening in April, instead opting to wait until May.

Landlord Simon Warry said: "I don’t think it will be feasible to open in April, it's a bit of a lucky dip with the weather.

“So I think we’ll wait until May and hit the ground running with less restrictions which will be a lot more positive.

“We’ve already gone this far and its only few more weeks, I just hope they don’t move the goalposts again. That’s my main concern."

The Spyway Inn in Askerswell will be opening in April.

Landlord Mark Watson said: "I think it's the right time to reopen, I don't think it could have been done any earlier. We're looking forward to opening up and welcoming everyone back, using local suppliers as usual.

"The vaccine is being rolled out and numbers are dropping, now we just need people to get comfortable with coming out again."

It will be a May reopening for the Greyhound in Beaminster and licensee Brian Riggs said: "Other pubs get to open earlier but that’s the way it is really. We got to open in December when other pubs couldn’t because we sell food so its swings and roundabouts.

"We want to open as soon as possible but there’s no point opening earlier and then having to close again down the line."

Lesley Waring, landlady of The Knapp Inn, Beaminster, which will also be reopening in May, said: "I’m happy with the opening date because if was any sooner we could well be locked down again within a few weeks – so I think it's better to be cautious.

“We’ve been closed since November 5 so it has been a tough time. We just don’t want this to happen again and the more cautious they are hopefully that can all open up again safely."

The Tiger Inn, Bridport, will be able to reopen in April. Owner, Graham Taylor, sympathised with owners who aren't able to open their venues.

Mr Taylor said: "It’s a shame as there are pubs in the area which don’t have outside space, so it’s a bit unfair on them really. It’s not viable for these places to open.

"However, we are looking forward to reopening. It’s all about getting some money back now after pubs have struggled so much over the past year.

He added: “It will be good for everyone’s mental health once we can all go out and mix again.”