Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown has offered us all hope for the future.

The easing of restrictions began on March 8 and saw schools re-open to all pupils.

From next Monday (March 29), gatherings of up to six people outdoors will be permitted, and the stay at home message changed to stay local.

The change will mean all seafront car parks in Southend will be re-opened to the public from Monday.

Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre will also be welcoming members and the public back from Monday. 

It will be opening up outdoor facilities and running exercise classes outside. 

However, indoor facilities will remain closed. 

Step 2

The next step out of lockdown has been pencilled in for April 12, and will see all non-essential shops re-open. Pubs and restaurants will also be able to serve food and drink outside from this date.

Wetherspoon and Greene King have announced they will re-open several of their pubs in Essex from April 12. 

They are:

  • The Elms, Leigh
  • The Parsons Barn, Shoebury
  • The Blue Boar, Billericay
  • Bull, Hockley
  • Four Seasons, Laindon
  • Hoy & Helmet, Benfleet
  • Inn on the Green, Stanford
  • Noak Bridge, Laindon
  • Old Walnut Tree, Southend
  • Paul Pry, Rayleigh
  • Quays, Basildon
  • Swan, Brentwood
  • Travellers Joy, Rayleigh
  • Ye Olde Smack, Leigh-On-Sea

Bosses at Southend Pier have also revealed plans to welcome back visitors from April 12.

Other leisure and hospitality venues which have confirmed they will reopen on April 12 include:

  • Adventure Island (opening on April 17)
  • Adventure Island Catering Outlets
  • Aurum Restaurant
  • Gleneagles Guesthouse and Tearooms
  • Lemon Witch
  • The Mermaid Cafe
  • Oyster Creek Kitchen (opening from April 13)
  • Peggy’s Music Bar (open on Monday, April 12 from 2pm til 10pm as a one off. Monday after that Thursday to Sunday)
  • Roslin Beach Hotel (outside dining only)
  • Sealife Adventure (outside areas only)

Step 3

The third step out of lockdown is scheduled for May 17 and will see pubs and restaurants allowed to serve customers inside.

Households will also be able to mix indoors and reduced crowds in both outside and inside venues will also be permitted.

Step three may also allow foreign travel from May 17, and Southend Airport has said it will be ready for the return of tourists from this date.

However, some experts have recently warned a rise in Covid rates in Europe means it is unlikely travelling abroad will be allowed any time soon.

The cafes and restaurants that have confirmed they will reopen from May 17 include:

Anne Boleyn

The Blue Boar

Caddies

Holiday Inn Southend

Ilfracombe House Hotel

Pescatore Restaurant

Last Post

Liquid Flair

Lorna & Lottie's Cafe

Roslin Beach Hotel (inside dining and hotel rooms)

Sealife Adventure - (full re-opening is planned for May 17)

Suenos Guesthouse

Truleigh Scrumptious

Step 4

The final step out of lockdown, and in theory an end to all restrictions and rules, has been pencilled in for June 21.

Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen and large crowds at sporting and musical events will also be permitted.

Despite this, organisers of the annual Southend Carnival have been forced to cancel this year's event. 

They cited uncertainty over the roadmap as a key reason for the cancellation. 

The Prime Minister has long insisted the road map out of lockdown will be based on 'data, not dates' - hinting rules may be relaxed later than planned.