PUB owners are trying to plan how they will reopen after a three-month closure, but as yet there is no confirmed date of when they will get the go ahead.

While national chains like Wetherspoons have already ploughed ahead with their reopening plans and are almost ready to open their doors, for independent pubs in Herefordshire it’s been more tricky.

The latest from the UK Government on pubs reopening touts a July 4 date, but those with beer gardens could be allowed to start pulling pints again on June 22.

Since March 20 when pubs and restaurants were told to close by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, some publicans are struggling to see how they will reopen.

Casey Floyd has run the Swan Hotel in Kington for two years and previously ran the nearby Royal Oak for five years. He said he suffered a huge financial hit because of coronavirus.

“First week of closure after lockdown was the lowest point of my life,” he said.

“I was heartbroken and crying after Boris Johnson’s speech when we were forced to close.

“Having no customers for a prolonged period has been hugely depressing and upsetting. Thankfully we had the furlough scheme which meant I didn’t need to make any redundancies, so my staff are safe, well and keen to get back to work.”

Mr Floyd also aired his frustrations over the current two-metre social distancing guidelines which would cause huge problems in the bar.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and UK Hospitality have already called on the Government to halve the two-metre amid fears some businesses would not be able to survive.

Mr Floyd added: “I have lost over £10,000-worth of bookings during this pandemic.

“The only way we can reopen and profitable again is if they drop the two-metre rule. If they don’t, it’s going to be hard to police because once people have had a drink or two they’re not going to pay attention to me or to the rule. It’s going be very hard to police. “

However, Claire and Peter Nottage from the Royal Arms in Llangrove, near Ross-on-Wye, share Mr Floyd’s concerns on social distancing.

Mrs Nottage said: “We are publicans in the hospitality industry, we are not policemen so how would this be enforced?

“I for one don’t want to be hassling customers who may be unknowingly stood too close to another customer.”

Some landlords have remained optimistic, and Gino Fulgoni from Temple Bar Inn in Ewyas Harold said he has prepared to be able to utilise his outdoor space.

“Once we get the official guidelines we can carry out a risk assessment, although we have a fair idea of how we can operate already,” he said.