Marston's begins brewing early ready for reopening

But the pubs group today criticised the Government for forcing it into "guesswork" and described communication from ministers as "weak".

The brewing giant said it has had to gamble on the assumption that a reduction in the two-metre rule will allow it to start trading again.

But there had still been no clarity on how its businesses will be able to start work again, preventing it from letting pub staff know when they can return to work.

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay said the Wolverhampton-based group has had to work on the "guess and risk" that reopening would be allowed from July 4.

He said staff have been busy getting beer brewed, bringing staff back from furlough and preparing sites to reopen.

Mr Findlay said he hoped Boris Johnson would finally provide concrete plans on Tuesday, saying : "If we get confirmation that we can open pubs and restaurants on July 4 we will open 80 to 90 per cent on that date. The Government communication on all this has been weak so far.

"They intimated some time ago that hospitality and other parts of the leisure sector could probably open on July 4, but then here was various speculation – based on a leak – of opening on June 22, which obviously didn't happen.

"We have now reached June 22 and still not had confirmation that we can open on July 4. We have to set operating guidelines but have still not had confirmation of whether its will be two or one metre social distancing. I appreciate it is difficult for the Government, but it is incredibly difficult for us. We have had to take the view that we will open on July and start to brew on all our sites for our pubs and restaurants."

Mr Findlay said the reduction of social distancing to one metre was essential for Marston's and would mean a four-fold difference in the number of customers, adding: "It is estimated that if it remains at two metres only a third of pubs will be able to open."

The brewery boss said the lockdown had been a tough time for the industry.

He said: "The hospitality sector employs three million in the UK and the vast majority are furloughed in the pub and restaurant sector.

"It is estimated that the pub sector burns £100 million of cash a month and it can't go on like that. There will be economic carnage if the sector can't reopen soon." .

Mr Findlay said the summer period was critical for Marstons, which employs around 14,000, and the wider industry. He called for help through a cut in beer duty and said it was essential the opening of pubs wasn't restricted to gardens only.

This week's lockdown easing comes as Marston's shareholders prepare to vote on the planned combination of its brewing business with Carlsberg, with a meeting planned for Thursday.

The company will also be reporting its latest half year financial figures, which were delayed from May 13, on Friday.