PUBS are itching to serve thirsty customers indoors again after it was revealed coronavirus restrictions will be eased again next week.

From May 17, the hospitality industry can finally resume indoor service for the first time since December.

This means pub-goers across England will be allowed to enjoy a pint in groups of six, or two households, without having to brace the wind and rain.

Drinkers will not be allowed to prop up the bar just yet though, and must continue to order from their table, while staying seated to enable social distancing.

Customers don't have to order a substantial meal with their booze and there is no curfew either, due to the confusion both rules previously caused.

Manager of the Bishop Blaize in Romsey, Ben Jacobs, said he is excited to get back indoors and enjoy conversations with drinkers again.

However, he fears staff could struggle to keep up with demand at the weekend when punters will be spread across the beer garden and indoors.

The 30-year-old said: "I am a lot happier about the fact we can get back indoors, because this pub is all about being around the bar.

"I know we can't be around the bar, but I find with the smaller pubs it is about having that banter with people and I do find it harder to get into a conversation with customers outside.

"The only thing I worry about is on a busy night, and we are still doing table service, we don't have a lot of staff working and it will be very hard for them to cope.

"I think the weekdays will be fine, but at the weekends there will be a few people waiting for a bit longer and I don't want service to be too slow."

General Manager at The Four Horseshoes in Nursling, Sarah Edom, said eager drinkers have already booked tables in time for the relaxation of the rules.

She said: "We are really looking forward to opening the doors to our restaurant inside and expanding the menu on offer.

“The tables are starting to book up, but I think people have only just realised the restrictions are being lifted.”

However, Ms Edom stressed, although the watering hole has seen "four great weeks" of outdoor trade, the business has experienced too many no-shows - claiming it is "very damaging".

She explained: "We find, on average, two or three tables a day don’t turn up and don't have the courtesy to call us to say their plans have changed.

"The knock-on effect is a couple or family, who we’ve had to turn away, hasn’t been able to eat out and support us.

"Our message is simple - please play fair and let pubs and restaurants know if your plans have changed as soon as possible. We really can’t afford the lost revenue. It’s very damaging.”

Ms Edom added the business is looking to take on new employees in the next few months in a bid to keep up with demand.

She explained: "In line with anticipated demand in the coming months, we are looking to recruit – full and part-time in all areas including bar, front of house, kitchen."