RESTAURANTS and pubs are poised for an al-fresco revolution as they emerge from the three-month Covid-19 lockdown.

Ministers have published new proposals to allow pubs and restaurants to turn car parks into seating areas and licensed premises to serve take-away booze to avoid crowding indoor areas.

The move is designed to help hard-pressed business owners recover from the ravages of the coronavirus downturn.

However, Southend councillor Martin Terry is concerned over the plans and suggested ministers were wrong to re-open restaurants and bars on a weekend.

Joan Tiney, Southend Seafront Traders’ Association chair and owner of the Borough Hotel, in Marine Parade, said: “We have been closed all this time, since March 20, so every little helps.

“For our pub we already have a terrace area so it won’t make too much difference to us directly but I know other businesses will welcome this, anything that helps the industry is a good thing.”

She added other regulations including pubs taking names and addresses of customers and storing them for up to 21 days will be a “nightmare”, but she is optimistic it can be worked out.

Mr Terry, who oversees community safety, feared on-street drinking could result in more antisocial behaviour.

He said: “We are already seeing problems with this now and these measures will only encourage people to buy drinks and take them to the beach. People drinking alcohol in the sun, on the beach is often not a good mix.

“It can be a contributing factor to anti-social behaviour and can also lead to more litter which is a problem we are already seeing.”

He also said he disagreed with the Government’s plan to re-open pubs on July 4 due to it being a Saturday. He said the better alternative would have been to allow it from Monday, July 6.

The period following July 4, he added, will be a “testing time”.

Other measures revealed by ministers, include outdoor markets, summer fairs and car boot sales no longer needing planning permission, meaning their hours can be extended without prior approval.

Labour councillor Matt Dent said the moves appeared if they are in place for a short period. of time.

He said: “I can see this as a sensible approach as temporary measure to help the hospitality industry to get back on its feet after coronavirus. It will encourage more al fresco dining which is something Southend has been pursuing with interest for some time, such as in London Road by the High Street.

“However, I would express concern if this was a permanent change as it is tearing up generations of planning and licensing law without necessarily the scrutiny it would warrant.

“As a permanent, shift you run the risk of unintended consequences and serious problems may need to be addressed further down the line.”