Hospitality businesses reopen in Northern Ireland

Hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland will reopen from today (Friday, 3 July) following the coronavirus lock-down.

Indoors, pubs and bars will have to primarily function as restaurants and offer substantial meals with table service.

The food prerequisite does not apply to alcohol being served outside in beer gardens, though table service is again compulsory.

Leisure and spa facilities at hotels remain closed.

Economy minister Diane Dodds said: “Businesses in this sector are a cornerstone of the Northern Ireland economy, employing about 65,000 people and generating in the region of £1bn in revenue each year. Northern Ireland is world-renowned for its tourism and hospitality offering. While this year we may not welcome as many outside visitors here as we normally would during the summer, I am confident businesses in the sector will see a great many local customers in the coming weeks and months and will deliver the quality offering that they are so well known for.”