Fewer than two thirds (62%) of Britain’s licensed premises were trading again by the end of July following the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The pattern of reopening has also been uneven, with pubs ahead of restaurants and London lagging the rest of England, the new Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners reveals.

Scotland and Wales also trail the rest of the country, having been given the green light to start trading some time after the July 4 start date in England. Independent businesses have also been less likely to reopen than bigger companies, with 52% open at the end of July compared to 75% of group-managed sites.