argument for restaurants to be open," he said.
As the group executive chef for the Butcombe Brewery's vast portfolio of pubs and rooms, Alice Bowyer feels that to err on the side of caution is wise, she said, as "we have to make sure that this is the last time that we go into a lockdown."
"Hopefully, we can stick to these dates and then that's it forever."
Graham Garrett, chef patron of The West House, agreed that having to wait longer than expected to reopen, at this point, makes little odds.
"What does it matter? We're f**ked anyway, what does another month matter? As long as we've got a date and we know we've got something to work towards and we can reopen, that's all I care about at the moment."
Anna Haugh of restaurant Myrtle is very much of this opinion also.
Upon watching the Prime Minister's speech yesterday, she said: "The first think I thought, really, was 'Boris, you're a prick.'"
"He's not to be trusted. He has let us down on many occasions with dates and timings and lockdowns and coming out of lockdowns before."
And while the first two steps of easing lockdown make sense, to her, she said, "I feel it starts to go rogue," especially stage 4 - June 21st, when he said we would be aiming to drop all restrictions.
"It's this ridiculous utopia," she said, "which we all know isn't happening."
As for those inside and out of the industry saying the easing of lockdown isn't quick enough, she said: "I totally feel what they're saying and I really relate to their desperation but I do believe that our main focus should be watching how the virus spreads and grows."
"The minute that we are allowed to dine inside, most people's discipline will go out of the window, I can't see people having the energy left in them to fight off the temptation to do whatever they used to do and want."
"We are not in a position at all to feel like we are out of the woods. We are really at a scary time, and most of all, we're desperate - for entertainment, and to be back earning, and that's dangerous."
City centres and "irreversible" progress
Whilst the first lockdown was full of uncertainty as to whether people would feel safe going out to eat and drink again, David isn't concerned that people will flock back to city centres for a jolly once they are allowed to.
"There will definitely be pent-up demand," he said, from "all of the celebratory events in people's lives, people who are fond of Pied à Terre will be clicking on that widget and making their bookings, anniversaries, birthdays, all the special occasions that have passed unnoted since mid-December."
"We saw it last time and I think we'll see it again."
However, it is likely that the pandemic has altered consumer habits, at least to some extent, forever.
Richard, who lives and works in London's financial district, the changes are likely to be drastic.
"My hope is that it will mean a reduction in the homogenous chains up and down the country," he said, with improved quality and more focus in restaurants.
"But it's going to be tough business, I don't think footfall is going to come back at least for a few months, and it could be a permanent shift of some sort.
Alice believes that with the end of restrictions will come a period of trepidation, "five deep at the bar sort of thing."
"But we'll just adapt, and people that have a quality offer, if people love to go there to drink eat and go out, they will come out strong."
"There's definitely hope on the horizon."
As we await the budget announcement next week, a lot hangs in the balance for hospitality. Watch this space for information about what to expect and industry views on what the Treasury might roll out.
