Pub gardens could reopen on June 22 in bid to help save 3.5m hospitality jobs at risk

PUB gardens could reopen on June 22 in a bid to help save 3.5million hospitality jobs at risk.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma warned at a No10 meeting last week that jobs will be on the line if pubs, restaurants and hotels can’t reopen for the summer.

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Boris Johnson is said to have replied: “Christ!”

The PM is stuck between “hawks” ministers urging him to speed up the return to normal life — and scientists warning him to slow it down.

Pubs, restaurants, and hotels are not due to reopen until at least July.

But No10 hopes beer gardens could be used as early as June 22 under a new social-distancing plan, including ordering drinks via an app.

It is feared shuttering hospitality businesses for months could push unemployment over five million by next year.

Today, mayors in the North West, where the R rate is above 1, urged a postponement of the June 15 reopening of all shops.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock pledged to press on with the plan but said the Government was ready to reimpose stricter lockdowns in areas where infections spike.