SOME businesses have been jumping the gun in putting seating outside ahead of the lifting of restrictions.

Shropshire Council is advising hospitality businesses that they cannot yet put tables and chairs outside their premises for use by customers and the public.

This follows reports to the council’s trading standards and licensing service that some businesses are breaching this particular Covid-19 restriction.

Outdoor areas at cafes, restaurant, bars, pubs, and social clubs, including members clubs, will not be permitted to reopen before Monday, April 12 at the earliest.

The council encourages hospitality businesses to use this time to consider carefully what outdoor areas they may wish to use and how this will be achieved through either the council’s temporary pavement licence or the permanent pavement permit regimes.

Businesses must also undertake a risk assessment and implement appropriate Covid safe measures in order to keep customers and staff safe when things reopen.