Boris Johnson to urge drinkers not to ‘overdo it’ when pubs reopen: Prime minister Boris Johnson is to issue a plea to England’s drinkers not to “overdo it” when pubs reopen for business tomorrow (Saturday, 4 July) after 15 weeks of lock-down. The prime minister will return to the 10 Downing Street lectern this evening (Friday, 3 July) in a revival of the press conferences held on a daily basis until last week, reports The Independent. His call for restraint comes after police and councils warned of the danger of large-scale drinking leading to disorder and a breakdown of social distancing practices, which still require people to keep two metres apart unless they are taking mitigating action such as wearing face coverings. At the Downing Street press conference, Johnson is expected to praise businesses for putting in a “heroic effort” to make shops, pubs and restaurants safe for customers – adding: “We must not let them down.” He will say: “Just as when we first locked down, we will only succeed in reopening if everyone works together. Because we are not out of the woods yet. The virus is still with us and the spike in Leicester has shown that. If it starts running out of control again the government will not hesitate in putting on the brakes and reimposing restrictions. So as we take this next step, our biggest step yet, on the road to recovery, I urge the British public to do so safely.”

Soho House to press on with new openings, eyes long-term rentals market: Soho House is to press on with new openings and is also set to make a move into the long-term rentals market. The private members’ club group had committed to a five-year strategy that includes an extensive refurbishment programme, five new sites a year, and a revamped app. Despite global lock-downs “nothing stopped” at the business, chief executive Nick Jones told the FT. Since March, Soho House has spent £5.4m refurbishing properties and amalgamating its 24 websites into one. It has relaunched its app, which now offers a social network for members and a contactless in-house payment method. Soho House, which secured a $100m (£81m) equity injection last month, has been able to continue its aggressive expansion through a mixture of cost cuts, fund-raising and incoming membership fees. Its 180 Strand site in London, which was due to open in April, is now set to do so next month, while new houses in Mykonos, Tel Aviv and the British Virgin Islands will follow this year. Of the home rental plan, Jones said: “There are a lot ([of our members), from say the age of 20 to 35, who don’t want to buy but want to rent and want to rent something that doesn’t have big deposits. They want areas where there’s more public space and you don’t have to have your washing machine in your flat. I think there will be a huge demand for it.” He said he expects hotel failures to result in sites that would be well suited to long-term accommodation with shared facilities coming on to the market at a good price. The majority of Soho House’s 26 sites are in the UK. Sites will operate at roughly 70% of capacity and the company is converting its events spaces into co-working areas. From September, overnight accommodation will no longer be available to non-members.

Hospitality businesses reopen in Northern Ireland: Hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland will reopen from today (Friday, 3 July) following the coronavirus lock-down. Indoors, pubs and bars will have to primarily function as restaurants and offer substantial meals with table service. The food prerequisite does not apply to alcohol being served outside in beer gardens, though table service is again compulsory. Leisure and spa facilities at hotels remain closed. Economy minister Diane Dodds said: “Businesses in this sector are a cornerstone of the Northern Ireland economy, employing about 65,000 people and generating in the region of £1bn in revenue each year. Northern Ireland is world-renowned for its tourism and hospitality offering. While this year we may not welcome as many outside visitors here as we normally would during the summer, I am confident businesses in the sector will see a great many local customers in the coming weeks and months and will deliver the quality offering that they are so well known for.”

Fuller’s announces second delay to results: London-based pub and hotel operator Fuller’s has delayed its full-year results for a second time. The company had intended to publish its results for the year ending 28 March 2020 today (Friday, 3 July). However, auditors Grant Thornton has informed Fuller’s it will need additional time to complete the formalities of the audit process, which has resulted in a further delay to the results. Fuller’s stated: “The delay is a result of the auditors’ internal processes, with Grant Thornton continuing to cite the complexities surrounding covid-19 and related abnormal working arrangements as the reason behind the time taken to complete the audit. Fuller’s will now announce a revised date for its full year results for the year ended 28 March 2020 shortly.” Fuller’s previously announced on 24 June a delay to its results.