Popular pub warns customers it’s NOT opening next week after being ‘inundated’ with bookings

But not all pubs with outdoor space will be reopening next week, with some waiting until May 17, when indoor drinking and dining is set to be permitted again.

Staff at the Hardy Pick on Broadfield Close, near Abbeydale Road, which has a large beer garden with a playground, say they have been ‘inundated’ with booking requests from April 12 onwards via phone and Messenger, despite not reopening until May 17.

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One employee wrote: “We just don’t want customers making the effort to come here and be disappointed when they realise we are not open.”

The Hardy Pick is part of the Hungry Horse group of pubs, 69 of which will be welcoming back customers to their beer gardens from April 12, with the majority of the rest resuming trading on May 17.

Other Sheffield pubs belonging to the group, including The Sword Dancer, in Handsworth; The Sherwood, on Birley Moor Road; Drakehouse Mill, in Waterthorpe; and the Gypsy Queen, in Beighton, are also waiting until mid-May to reopen.

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Responding to questions about why it was not opening all its venues in April, Hungry Horse, which has around 270 pubs, said: “We have opened all pubs that are able to follow the government guidelines for garden dining or drinking.

"Some of our pubs just don’t have the space to do this - but don’t worry, all pubs will be reopening as part of the next stage of the roadmap from week commencing May 17, when indoor dining and drinking is allowed.”