Will you be sensible?

[saundra]

Have to say places here that deliver afternoon tea and ploughing lunches are doing big business here I know carvery places won't be the same as you can't serve your self anymore and older people have been isolation along time it will take time
Probably after we've been out a few times we will relax

[miasmum]

I've booked two meals for when we are away, one a Sunday Lunch and the other in an Italian, both in places recommended by our holiday home owner as being very strict with the rules

[TheOstrich]

My thinking is that the behaviour of many of us, mainly the over 60s, has changed forever and that it is us who keep lots of places ticking over during the day. Think carveries and 'Ladies wot lunch' as two examples. It could be that by the time we feel comfortable going back to normal a lot of these places will have disappeared. I hope not, but I do worry for them.

Absolutely my thinking, too. There's a huge difference between the "City" economy and the "Rural" economy. In the cities, we've already seen the demise of many coffee shops and cafes and the smaller convenience chains like Upper Crust. If people are going to regard working from home as a new norm, that's a raft of business income that will be lost to the survivors. In rural areas, if the "grey pound" remains firmly closeted at home, that's another raft of business income that will be lost to the pubs and restaurants.

I think it's right these businesses should reopen, but it really is make or break - whether they are going to be economically viable unless restrictions are lifted, I honestly don't know.

It is similar with the rail industry. The leisure market is still being actively discouraged at both Government and TOC (Train Operating Company) level. They are going to have to shift attitudes and move heaven and earth in special promotions to win back the casual traveller.

[Kaz]

We parked in an almost deserted multi-storey, walked through the almost deserted mall, to Corretto's. There was plenty of space outside, the tables easily two metres apart. Nothing like even a normal week day, never mind a Saturday.

It was very pleasant, but if at any stage it had been busy we would have come away. It felt wonderful to be doing something so normal

[Kaz]

I've booked two meals for when we are away, one a Sunday Lunch and the other in an Italian, both in places recommended by our holiday home owner as being very strict with the rules

[Workingman]

Kaz, did you have to book or were you "passing trade"?

I only ask because a lot of places rely on spontaneous decisions from passing trade. When we go to places such as Ripon or Skipton we don't know when we will become peckish or in need of a drink, and we certainly don't know where we would like to take either - same place or different places.

Booking in advance and sticking to a fixed timetable will not appeal to many of us on a day out. We might still visit but will take a day bag with a flask and a pack-up, and so although we are physically there the local economy will barely benefit.

[saundra]

Yes I think that will be a problem for a lot of people but a lot of places do take away meals which are ok unless it's raining

[Kaz]

We just turned up Frank. I know local restaurants are taking evening bookings, but not the bars and cafes

[TheOstrich]

Glad you had an enjoyable time, Kaz!

[Kaz]

Thanks