Restaurant chiefs warn 2m social distancing would make reopening economically unviable

Restaurant bosses in London on Tuesday sounded caution over potential social distancing in their sites when they reopen, and warned a two-metre rule would be economically unviable.

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty has suggested that, in the absence of a vaccine, maintaining socially distancing by keeping two metres apart may have to be in place until the end of the year.

Under that scenario London firm Grind, which serves food, coffee and cocktails, estimates its largest branch, in Greenwich, would slash the number of customers to whom it serves brunch on Saturdays to just 150. It was around 500 before the coronavirus outbreak.

David Abrahamovitch, founder of Grind, said that would be “financially unviable” without rent cuts or government assistance.

André Blais, founder of Bodean’s BBQ, said: “That would ruin our business if we were not able to get subsidised rent.”