PUB campaigners in Bradford have said that some pubs in the district won't be able to open until June under the Prime Minister's roadmap plans.

The local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale said the roadmap sets out "months of further financial hardship" for publicans, and that for many businesses trading under restrictions is not profitable.

During the roadmap out of lockdown, unveiled yesterday by the Prime Minister as an "irreversible, one-way journey out of lockdown", pubs will be able to open as early as April 12.

In April, they will be able to open for outdoor service before indoor service, restricted by the rule of six or two-household rule, is permitted from May 17 at the earliest.

However, CAMRA feels these limits will not be "appropriate" for many businesses, and has called for added financial aid to help pubs get back on their feet.

It said while the roadmap is "understandably cautious it will have a significant impact to the hospitality trade and associated businesses for several months at least", and has called for financial support to be extended for the hospitality sector.

Bradford CAMRA said yesterday's announcement was "disappointing" as businesses have "suffered financial hardship due to the restrictions over the last 11 months".

It added: "Many businesses have no, or limited, outdoor space so will not be able to use the opportunity to re-start trading on April 12 for Stage 2.

"Some may find that it will not be viable to re-open internally at the start of Stage 3 on May 17 due to the imposition of the Rule of Six and two-household rules. Some pubs may have to wait until, at least, June 21 until they can re-open.

"When hospitality businesses can re-open, the removal of previous restrictions, such as, the curfew, substantial meals and the rumoured 'no alcohol' trading, is welcomed. However, some additional COVID-19 precautions will remain in place and these will impact on the ability of businesses to trade."

Peter Down, acting chair for the Bradford Branch of CAMRA said “The Government’s roadmap for lifting COVID-19 precautions, whilst understandably cautious, is disappointing.

"Our local pubs, bars, restaurants and local breweries have been experiencing significant financial hardship due to the closures and restrictions imposed by the Government.

"The implementation of the roadmap is expected to further this hardship for several months yet.

“During Summer 2020, hospitality businesses successfully demonstrated they could trade whilst minimising the risk of virus transmission.  However, this does not appear to have been taken into account in the Government’s approach.

“If the Government continues to force hospitality and related businesses to remain closed, or trade under imposed restrictions, the appropriate financial support should be provided as compensation.”

In next week's Budget, CAMRA is calling on the Government to; lower duty on beer and cider, extend its VAT cut and to apply it to alcohol sales, cancel business rates for another year, and extend furlough until every pub is able to reopen.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government would continue to support businesses until the pandemic is over, but would not be drawn on detail, instead telling people to wait until the Budget next Wednesday.