Pubs, cafes and restaurants across the Cotswolds are preparing to reopen on Monday following a four month closure.

Hospitality venues have been closed in England since December, with the hospitality industry adapting by offering customers a takeaway service throughout the Winter months.

The industry has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. 6,000 licensed premises closed their doors for the last time in 2020, triple the number from 2019.

However from Monday, pubs, cafes and restaurants who can provide an outdoor service can welcome back droves of customers.

Indoor venues and hotels cannot open fully until May 17.

The Rule of Six will be in place, meaning you can visit with up to five other people. It will be table service only, and everyone must sit outside, only going indoors to use the toilet.

The Bathurst Arms in North Cerney is a pub fortunate enough to have a large garden space and car park.

Director, Jordan Pelly, has added extra tables and will add further covered tables before opening for lunch on Monday.

“Since taking over the pub we have spent more time closed than open," said Jordan.

“We can’t wait to open the garden to you and then the pub a month later.

“We have taken the time out to redecorate our bedrooms, redesign our organic menu, giving it a spring look and taste.

“It has been a tough time for the industry and hopefully we can all get back to what we were trained to do and most of all, enjoy doing.”

Jack’s Tearoom and Kitchen in Cirencester has changed the frontage, moving the door to directly access the ‘secret street’ serving area, this also gives you direct access to the garden and the outdoor seating.

“We have been painting and cleaning ready to welcome customers and friends back,” said manager Laura Stringer.

Téatro, the restaurant and bar, attached to the new Ingleside hotel is opening its large garden to guests later in the week, on Friday, April 16.

The venue has covered and uncovered seating areas as well as heaters.

Téatro won plaudits for its Covid measures before Christmas and is looking to once again be a shining light in safety on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunchtimes.

The Gateway, located on the Cotswold lakes near South Cerney has added to its offering.

It now hosts an outdoor pizzeria – Pizzeria 720, there is also currently a pop-up takeaway on weekend evenings, Tommy’s Street Kitchen and a bar, named The Bar @ Lake 6.

The venue is run by Relish Group.

Director Rob Goves said: “Pizzeria 720° and more recently, Tommy's Street Kitchen have proved to be real takeaway hits over at our Gateway Café Site.

“We are hoping that come end of June, we can host a series of regular supper clubs and with the addition of our new Bar @ Lake 6 with panoramic views of the lake, the outdoor dining experience will be complete."