Kenilworth pub team looking forward to pulling pints again in April after Boris Johnson's 'roadmap' announcement

Hospitality has been one of the hardest hit industries as a result of COVID-19 and the impact of lockdowns.

People working in the industry have been made redundant at five times the rate of that in previous years.

Andy Lock, the general manager at the Virgins & Castle in High Street, said: “Firstly, we're glad to hear that the latest updates are considering taking a cautious approach to infection rates and the health and wellbeing of everyone.

"We're really pleased to hear that so many of our guests and vulnerable people in our community have already received the vaccines.

"The positive out of this is that we have a roadmap and some dates to work with.

"Up until now we've been second guessing when we might be able to re-open our doors.

"We thought that back in December that we might be open for Christmas Day and then New Year. We've made things up through January and so now it's great we've got a date to aim for.

"We're looking forward to a sunny spring in our beer garden from 12th April (fingers crossed) and opening up in full from 17th May.

"We completely understand if these dates get moved back.

"We would rather wait and be confident that we wouldn’t have to close again and that everyone stays as healthy as possible.

"I’m happy that my daughter can go back to school and play with her friends. It will be great to open the doors of the pub again.

"To be opening up each day, working with the team, the smell of beer, the smell of food from the kitchen, listen to music and the sound of people chatting and laughing over a drink”.

"Monday, May 17, is the next date that we’ll be looking to for us all to be able to visit a pub, restaurant and cafe indoors.

"There’ll also be some pilots of larger events with the view that we see a return to 'normality' from June 21."

To order takeaway from the Virgins & Castle and find out about any of their takeaway and local delivery offers, visit www.virginsandcastle.com or call the pub on 853737.