Timetable for reopening of private dining rooms in London

Planned reopening of private dining event spaces in London

As the nationwide Covid-19 mass vaccination rollout gathers momentum the UK events & hospitality industry is gearing itself up for what is predicted to be an enormous pent-up demand for private group dining events.

Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on 22^nd February 2021 detailing the government’s roadmap for transitioning out of lockdown we have seen a huge increase in enquiries for private dining event venues in London from late May onwards via our venue finding service.

Three key dates for reopening

The PM’s roadmap for the reopening of events & hospitality in London mentioned three key dates – spaced at five weeks apart – which have stimulated the demand for private dining rooms in London – 12^th April, 17^th May and 21^st June.

Hospitality successfully resumed for outside alfresco private dining events of up to six guests from different households on 12th of April.

This is scheduled to be followed on 17^th May – the planned date for indoor hospitality to resume for private dining events of up to six guests from different households or two households of any size, with outdoor private dining parties limited to no more than 30 guests.

The final date of 21^st June is the key date that the London restaurant and events industry is looking forward to the most, it being the date when all Coronavirus restrictions on UK hospitality are scheduled to be lifted with full service resumed after the most unimaginably turbulent and damaging 15 months that the industry has ever had to face.

Government’s four tests to enable private dining events to take place

It should be noted that the remaining two relaxations on the London hospitality and events industry are subject to the UK government’s four tests being met – i.e. “1. That the vaccine deployment continues successfully, 2. That evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated, 3. That infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS and 4. That the government’s assessment of the risks has not been fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.”

Private Dining Rooms are keeping in regular contact with events teams at the hundreds of London restaurants with private dining rooms that we represent and will be sharing information with our site visitors regarding relaxation of group dining restrictions on a regular basis as the roadmap for the reopening of events & hospitality in London gathers momentum.