BRITS are hitting pubs and beer gardens for an alfresco booze-up on the first Saturday since restrictions eased across England.
In England, pals can now meet outdoors at a pub or cafe in groups of six – with punters making the most of their new freedoms.
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Across the UK, pub gardens have been packed with drinkers since early this morning.
Many are sharing their first pint with friends in months due to the tough lockdown restrictions in place since Christmas.
In Liverpool, friends clubbed together to enjoy a pint in beer gardens across the city centre.
And in Manchester, queues formed to get into the bustling Deansgate Locks pub gardens.
Today’s sunny spring weather has encouraged punters out in force as parts of southern England saw temperatures rocket to 16C today.
The warm weather looks set to stay for the next three days with southern England due to see temperatures rise up to 18C early next week.
Six million pints are expected to be drunk today – and many punters will raise a glass to Prince Philip on the day of his funeral.
At the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Royton, Greater Manchester, drinkers stood, pints in hand, in remembrance of Prince Philip.
Some pubs are due to show the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in Windsor on large outdoor screens.
Since pubs re-opened on Monday, April 12, some boozers with big outdoor areas have reported trade ten times higher than before Covid.
Last night, boozed up Brits danced in the streets as scuffles broke out at some reopened beer gardens.
Millions have flocked to newly-reopened bars after lockdown restrictions were eased in England this week.
Around 1.5million pub punters are set to make up for lost time on the first Saturday session for all areas of England since October.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Pubs and pub-goers are looking forward to the first weekend drinks in months.
“We’re beginning to rebuild our businesses and reconnect our communities.”
Shops are also seeing a spike in sales as the high street once again opened their doors to Brits.
Queues could be seen across Regent Street, London, as keen shoppers queued to get into their favourite stores.
Most high street shops have been closed since mid-December, but all non-essential shops have now been reopened in the UK.
Police could also be seen across London high streets to ensure social distancing remained in place.
