Restaurants see influx of bookings before lockdown

Restaurants around the country have seen an influx of bookings from customers wanting to enjoy their final meals out before England enters a second national lockdown. 

Chefs and operators have been sharing their experiences as tables fill up before a prolonged period of closure to dine-in guests, which comes into force on Thursday 5 November, and is currently expected to last until Wednesday 2 December.

"We saw a surge in bookings across the board on Sunday with bookings up 25% from the Sunday before," says Jack Stein, chef director of Rick Stein Group.

"People are definitely looking to make the most of the few days we have left which is brilliant.

"Our flagship site, The Seafood Restaurant, is looking particularly busy with only a few late afternoon tables left - we still have some availability in our other sites but it’s filling up fast."

"The increase in bookings ahead of Thursday's lockdown is astounding," adds Gregory Marchand, chef patron of Frenchie Covent Garden (pictured).

"People are clearly keen to dine out - there's a feeling of urgency.

"The bookings speak for themselves: Monday last week 38 covers, today 75; Tuesday last week 32 covers tomorrow 88; Wednesday last week 31 covers, this week 94."

And those who don't take bookings, such as Libertine Burger in Warwickshire, are also inundated with requests: "We’ve had over 100 emails and Instagram messages enquiring about bookings since the announcement," comments the burger joint's founder Charles Harries.

"No doubt we'll be full until Wednesday night if Monday's [2 November] services are anything to go by." ​