Countdown is on but Wetherspoon reveals fewer than half its pubs will reopen in April 12

Wetherspoon have revealed plans to re-open beer gardens, rooftops and patios at less than half of its pubs once Covid-19 restrictions are eased next month.

The chain — which has seven pubs across Northamptonshire — says it will unlock the doors of 394 of its 872 sites across England.

Boris Johnson announced the county's pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to open up again on April 12 at the earliest when he announced his road map out of lockdown on February 22 — but customers would need to stay outside.

Drinking outdoors is likely to be allowed from May 17.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs.”

Those Wetherspoon pubs which are able open will be serving from 9am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 9am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

They will offer a slightly reduced menu, to include breakfast, burgers, pizza, deli deals, fish and chips and British classics.

Customers will be able to order and pay through the Wetherspoon app, although staff will be able to take orders and payment at tables from those who don’t have the app.

Buy Wetherspoon is warning capacity will be limited by the number of tables available and will e first-come first-served.

Wetherspoon has seven pubs across the county:

The Cordwainer in Northampton town centre, The Earl of Dalkeith in Kettering, The Railway Inn in Rushden, The Red Well in Wellingborough, The Saracens Head Inn in Daventry, and two in Corby — The Samuel Lloyd and The Saxon Crown.