Brits hit the pubs for alfresco booze-up on first weekend since Covid rules eased with pubs expecting to sell 6m pints

BRITS hit pubs and beer gardens for an alfresco booze-up on the first Saturday since restrictions eased across England.

Punters made the most of their new freedoms yesterday after April 12 saw Covid restrictions ease and allow pals to meet outdoors at a pub or cafe in groups of six.

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Across the UK, pub gardens were packed with drinkers since early yesterday morning - with six million pints expected to be drunk.

High streets were also busy as an estimated 18.4 million people went shopping and blew more than £1.6billion – but this was still down on pre-pandemic levels, when £2bn was typically spent.

Many shared their first pint with friends last night in months due to the tough lockdown restrictions in place since Christmas.

In Liverpool, friends clubbed together to enjoy a pint in beer gardens across the city centre. 

And in Manchester, queues formed to get into the bustling Deansgate Locks pub gardens.

Yesterday's sunny spring weather encouraged punters out in force as parts of southern England saw temperatures rocket to 16C.

The warm weather looks set to stay for the next three days with southern England due to see temperatures rise up to 18C early next week. 

Since pubs reopened on April 12, some pubs with big outdoor areas have reportedly traded ten times higher than before Covid. 

On Friday night, boozed up Brits danced in the streets as scuffles broke out at some reopened beer gardens.

Millions flocked to newly-reopened bars after lockdown restrictions were eased in England this week.

Around 1.5million pub punters are set to make up for lost time on the first Saturday session for all areas of England since October.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Pubs and pub-goers are looking forward to the first weekend drinks in months.

"We’re beginning to rebuild our businesses and reconnect our communities.”

Shops have also seen a spike in sales as the high street once again opened their doors to Brits. 

Queues could be seen across Regent Street, London, as keen shoppers queued to get into their favourite stores. 

Most high street shops have been closed since mid-December, but all non-essential shops have now been reopened in the UK. 

Police could also be seen across London high streets to ensure social distancing remained in place.