Things may look a little different this weekend, if you're venturing out beyond the living room after months of lockdown.

An easing of coronavirus restrictions means cinemas, bars and restaurants can reopen on Saturday, 4 July.

But it won't be all futuristic plastic pods, bubble booths or robot waiters, as your social-media feed might suggest.

New government guidelines say people from different households or "support bubbles" should stay 2m (6ft) apart indoors, where possible, but can come to within 1m of each other if they follow certain measures to reduce the spread of the virus - what the government calls "1m plus".

And that, of course, poses significant challenges to those catering for people wanting to spend a night out together.

From 4 July in England, multi-screen cinemas will stagger film start and end times, to avoid congestion in foyers.

There will be hand-sanitising stations and - don't tell the kids - pick 'n' mix stands will be removed.

Film-lovers will also find a number of empty seats or rows between themselves and other groups, depending on the size of the cinema.

Admit One, which provides ticketing services for cinemas and multiplexes, says it can automatically enable socially distanced seating, creating "bubbles" of empty seats around groups when they book.

And some cinemas may not let customers choose where they sit, as this could affect their ability to reach maximum capacity.

The average seat in cinemas is about 60cm (2ft) wide and 97cm deep, Admit One says.

So to meet 2m distancing rules, cinemas would have had to block out 12 seats around a single cinemagoer, or 16 around a couple.

Allowing "1m plus" gives the option of other configurations.

But many cinemas may still be able to accommodate only about half the normal number of customers.

Carol Rennie, owner and operator of Keswick Alhambra Cinema, in Cumbria, says she'll be able to fill 25% of the seats, at best.

The 107-year-old cinema, which can hold up to 248 in the stalls and balcony, will be open to a maximum of 60 cinemagoers, including 35 in the 150 seats in the stalls.

"We will get more people in if they come in groups but most will be in couples," Ms Rennie says.

"Most of the year, we operate at about 20-25% capacity and a lot of the time it is quiet.

"But when we get to the school holidays, we expect at least 50%.

"So now, our maximum capacity will be our usual average-to-low.

"So there will be a big economic hit."

Customers will queue outside.

And there will be a one-way system through the foyer into the auditorium, with people leaving through the fire exits.

That said, the Alhambra is taking a cautious approach to reopening and has decided to wait until 24 July to welcome back customers, as many of its regulars are in the older, more vulnerable age range.

British Film Industry chief executive Ben Roberts says many cinemas will need support to reopen after months of closure and the additional costs of implementing social-distancing measures.

Restaurants, pubs and bars will also have to meet the new guidelines.

Many in the hospitality industry thought it would not have been viable to open under the 2m distancing rules.

But, Jonathan Neame, of the Shepherd Neame group, says, the change to 1m plus, in England, will make it "more operationally and financially viable" to begin reopening some of its pubs from 4 July.

Some temporary changes will include:

• seated, table service only
• screens between seating or tables
• no standing at the bar
• one-in-one-out system for toilets

Customers are also being asked to book in advance and order food and drink direct to their tables through smartphone apps.

Inside, people from only two households or "support bubbles" can sit together.

Outside, up to six people from a greater number of households or "support bubbles" can meet but must remain 2m apart, where they can. If not, they must keep at least 1m apart, while taking steps to reduce the risk of transmission such as wearing face coverings or not sitting face-to-face.

Some chains are limiting bookings to groups of six or eight, even if the household or social bubble group is larger.

At Toby Carvery, for example, there will be a maximum of six to a table and buffets will no longer be self-service but served by a chef to diners in a socially distanced queue.

Lockdown has taken its toll on major names in the food industry, pushing some well known companies into administration, while others have been able to survive serving takeaways.

Jack Applebee says his Applebee's Fish restaurant, in London's Borough Market, will reopen, as the market itself is transforming into a Mediterranean-style plaza in the evenings, once the market traders have finished.

Tables in the covered market will be set at least 1m apart, floor markers will tell customers where to stand and staff will be wearing masks, even though face coverings are still compulsory on public transport only.

Mr Applebee says the market has allowed the restaurant to extend its outside space.

And even though he won't have as many tables, it will be more manageable than reopening indoors.

"I personally think outside is a lot safer," he says.

"I wouldn't want to ask staff to work inside if I don't feel comfortable inside.

"And it's the summer - everyone wants to be outside."

Other restaurants have been installing Perspex screens between dining tables to create a physical barrier between patrons.

The lengths people go to to reopen will of course depend on location, budget, and staffing, among other factors.

Indeed, some restaurants have decided not to reopen until much later in the year.

And for fine diners, Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton has suggested there may be changes needed to the way table service works.

He told the Evening Standard's The Leader podcast there may be no more wine lectures at the table from sommeliers, until we have a coronavirus vaccine, and diners may even have to - brace yourselves - pour their own wine and water.

In Northern Ireland, holiday accommodation reopened for business from 26 June, and pubs and restaurants can open on 3 July.

Decisions on hospitality and holidays in Wales are expected in early July.

In Scotland, it is hoped all holiday accommodation can open up from 15 July, along with indoor areas of pubs and restaurants and hairdressers and barbers. Beer gardens should be able to reopen from 6 July. But if you're longing for music gigs, comedy nights or live performances at the theatre, you're going to have to wait a little longer, as these are still banned under the lockdown restrictions.

There's always bingo.

When the chips are down, it appears Brits turn to good old-fashioned grub as fish ‘n’ chips is revealed as the most popular takeaway food during lockdown.
 
The sales data from online takeaway delivery platform, Foodhub, reveals the traditional dish has doubled in popularity with a massive 208% uplift in fish n chips orders since lockdown as uncertainty calls for familiar comfort food.
 
This is followed by Quarter Pounder Burgers (158%) and Donner Kebabs (156%) as Brits look for ways to satisfy their taste for fast food.
 
Other foods on the up since lockdown include Chicken Nuggets (146%), Sausage and Chips (152%), Chicken Burgers (147%) and Garlic Bread (148%).
 
Pizzas are also included in the top 10 most ordered foods with Hawaiian proving the most popular, followed by Pepperoni.
 
Desserts have also increased in popularity since lockdown proving our love for sweet treats when things turn sour, with Cheesecake the favourite up 129%, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream up 113% and Chocolate Cake also up 113%.
 
Philip Mostyn, Foodhub spokesperson, said: “For many of us, takeaways have provided us small moments of joy and a break from the monotony we’re all experiencing in lockdown. It’s interesting to see how, as a nation, we’re turning to the old favourites and seeking comfort in familiar nostalgic foods, such as Fish ‘n’ Chips.”
 
Overall, orders through Foodhub have increased over 50% since lockdown.
 
Foodhub is an online food website and app launched in 2017. There are more than 12,000 takeaways currently featured online at foodhub.co.uk and through the apps available for iOS and Android.
 
Foodhub is unique in that it does not take a commission from the food establishments for each order placed. This enables them to offer better prices and deals to customers than other online food platforms.
 Top 10
1. Fish n Chips (up 208%)
2. Quarter Pounder Burgers (up 158%)
3. Donner Kebabs (up 156%)
4. Sausage and Chips (up 152%)
5. Garlic Bread (up 148%)
6. Chicken Burgers (up 147%)
7. Chicken Nuggets (up 146%)
8. Cheesecake (up 129%)
9. Pizza (up 115%)
10. Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream (up 113%)

Lidl GB has confirmed that its new supermarket on Warstock Road in Highters Heath, has opened its doors for the first time.

In response to the need to provide access to food supplies and essentials at this time, Lidl is delivering on its commitment to serve local communities, despite unprecedented circumstances.

The store, which has created approximately 40 new jobs, is open between 8am - 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am – 4pm on Sunday, providing customers with Lidl’s offering of fresh, quality and great value produce.

The new store also provides surplus food to local charities Betel Birminham who support those affected by affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and Zaika WN:WN which provide hot meals to the homeless and vulnerable locally. This is delivered through Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme in partnership with Neighbourly, working to help some of the vulnerable in society access high quality food.

Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Jeremy Lee, commented: “We remain committed to feeding the nation at this time, and continue to see incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country to provide essentials. We look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around the local area.  

“We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to fruition. It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we are proud to be able to serve the local community at this time”.

Lidl has introduced a range of social distancing measures to help maintain a safe store environment for both colleagues and customers. These include positioning designated team members at store entrances to manage the volume of people entering at one time, and clear communication, including floor markings, reminding customers of the importance of maintaining a two-metre distance from each other when shopping. We have been rolling out dedicated cleaning stations at store entrances for customers, including hand sanitiser, disinfectant and wipes, for them to use on their trolleys and baskets.

Additionally, the supermarket has installed protective screens at checkouts along with the introduction of protective visors and masks for colleagues to wear if they wish, and is continuing to encourage customers to pay by contactless payment methods where possible.

The new supermarket forms part of the company’s £1.45bn investment in its expansion across Great Britain in 2019 and 2020. With a total sales area of 1325m², the new store also includes 120 parking spaces, and features facilities such as an in-store bakery and longer-style tills with dual packing.

A staggering 91% of Brits now claim that mealtimes have become an essential family occasion during lockdown, and they’re loving it!

Half of British households (49.2%) confess that family mealtimes were either rare (39%) or never happened (10%) before lockdown according to new research.

The research, conducted by pizza brand Chicago Town, polled 4,227 households across the UK in May 2020 and shows how families have been brought together by the global pandemic; some positive news against the backdrop of worrying times.

As well as eating together at mealtimes, households are playing together too – with family and friends games’ nights, using popular video chat platforms, now high on the agenda.

Over three-quarters (77%) of UK families are now playing games regularly together since lockdown began with 41% dialing-in players to get around social distancing.

Almost a quarter (23%) of families claim gameplay is a totally new pastime for them, admitting to never having played as family previously. And they’re taking part in regular scheduled games’ nights (25%) playing board games, video games or games.

The research also revealed the top 5 most popular lockdown meal choices for a family games night or an evening in front of the TV:

1. Pizza (45%)
2. Chinese (21%)
3. Curry (15%)
4. Pasta (10%)
5. Fish & Chips (9%)

Rachel Bradshaw at Chicago Town said: “It is great to hear that so many families are making the most of mealtimes together since the start of lockdown – a positive takeaway from the restrictions. And what better way to bond than over a gooey, messy pizza and games night!

“We’re delighted, of course, that pizza is at the centre of many of these family occasions and we’re looking forward to seeing this trend of virtual extended family get-togethers continue way beyond lockdown.”
 

As Covid-19 shows no sign of ending anytime soon, and restaurants are among the hordes of businesses that were forced to close their doors since lockdown began, one particular food outlet have decided to remain providing food – but not for their regular adoring customers.

Based on Broad Street, in Birmingham, Dilbar Restaurant, which provides the best of quality Indian cuisine, is providing its freshly made food and donating it to hospitals and other medical-related centres in the city and the wider West Midlands.

Co-owner and Managing Director, Vijay Bulsara, along with fellow co-owner Pam Bassi, for the past few weeks have been donating some of Dilbar’s favourite foods to NHS staff and key workers as a way of saying ‘Thank You’ for their heroic and on-going work in the face of the relentless pandemic that is coronavirus.

“With Coventry being my home city”, Pam says: “I felt it my duty to make enquiries about the possibility, and then began delivering food to Coventry University Hospital Dialysis Centre.

“All of the staff there was hugely overwhelmed by the gesture and incredibly grateful for what Dilbar (Restaurant) did for them.

Not content with that, both Vijay and Pam hit upon the idea of providing their sumptuous food to other hospitals and medical centres local to their restaurant.

“It was something that both Vijay and I felt was the least that we could do”, Pam says, “by way of showing our appreciation and gratitude to the work carried out, day-in, day-out, by our National Health Service and other essential services”.

She goes on: “We then decided to offer food to staff at Dudley Hospital Dialysis Centre before then the Sandwell Doctor’s Surgery centre.

“The NHS has always done fantastic work under whatever circumstance. But, under the present pandemic Vijay and I felt that we really had to give something back.

“We take our freshly-made food to wherever ourselves – fully p.p,e.’d – and the feed-back has been nothing but ‘outstanding’.”

And that is nothing more than you would expect from one of Birmingham’s leading restaurants – OUTSTANDING!

Online searches for cream teas and afternoon teas to be delivered have surged since the UK went into lockdown, search data has suggested.

Afternoon tea treats topped the list of most increased searches for "delivery" queries in the UK, analysis of data from Google Trends showed.

Other popular terms included TGI, Nando's, takeaways and cakes, as people looked for a "pick-me-up" treat.

People have also been trying to make sure Royal Mail delivered.

Claire Dinwiddy, from Brewood in Staffordshire, had a cream tea as a surprise treat for her 40th birthday after other celebrations had to be cancelled.

"It was really nice. We were meant to be away with all my family for a long weekend glamping, but obviously it's all not going ahead so my friends did it to cheer me up," she said.

"A cream tea is something I've never had before as a birthday gift and it's really lovely not having to make anything yourself.

"It was proper party food: cakes and sandwiches; the weather was lovely so we sat out in the garden with a parasol and drank champagne."

Kerry Real from Shropshire said her husband ordered a cream tea as a "nice pick-me-up" in the middle of home schooling, working from home and a new baby.

"We like to go to National Trust places, normally we'd have a cream tea while we're there," she said.

"It is one of those nice things we just miss, so we thought, why not do it at home?"
She said the treat was from an independent, Lily's Secret Vintage Pop-up Tearoom, and it felt good to support them.

"I think with lockdown, a lot of things are returning back to supporting local businesses; it's important, it helps them to survive as well."

One of those small business owners is Homemade by Victoria, run by Northamptonshire 23-year-old Victoria Austin.

The former young chef of the year said afternoon teas were now her bestsellers as people rang up and placed orders for friends and family nearby whom they were unable to visit.

She said the deliveries were helping make up for losses from cancelled catering for weddings and other events, and now instead of serving up teas on presentation china, it was now a simple box for hygienic delivery.

"I started doing a few boxes here and there just to see," she said. "They've always been quite popular but never as popular as this. I don't know why it is such a big thing but everyone's loving it."