THE announcement that pubs with social distancing in place can reopen on July 4 has been welcomed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

However, the group is concerned about the extra burden on landlords and staff to ensure that customers follow the rules on personal safety, especially the requirement to record customer details to help trace and test them in any further outbreaks of Covid-19.

Oxford CAMRA spokesperson Dave Richardson said: “Many pubs, particularly in the city centre, don’t have outside drinking areas.

“There are many pubs with just one entrance and exit and small inside areas, so how will they cope?

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“There are now several micro pubs in Oxfordshire, converted from shops, and this looks a tall order for them.

“The pub experience could be very different, at least to start with. The bigger pub companies have more staff and sometimes their own apps for ordering drinks and food, but what about the smaller, more traditional pubs?

“But, we urge people to give pubs a chance. They desperately need our support, and many small pubs which may not be able to reopen face possible closure.”