HAMPSHIRE pubs have said they are "encouraged" by the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown as they prepare to open in April.

On Monday, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson revealed his plans as the country emerges from a third national lockdown announcing that pubs will be able to open outside from April 12 with drinkers allowed inside again from May 17.

Pubs have now come out in support of the plans as they look to recover financially from the affects of the pandemic.

Daniel Morgan, who owns The Good Companion in Eastleigh was previously cautious about the prospect of just serving outside, but now said he's "positive" that there is a thought out plan, and is preparing to open in the most cost affective way.

"The fact we've got a date behind it is the important thing.

"We will have to rely on the British weather but I've spoken to the brewery about getting bottled real ale rather than cask and if it's pouring with rain at 8 o'clock at night then we'll close and that's how we'll minimise staffing costs."

Sarah Edom, general manager at The Four Horseshoes said: “Our restaurant will have to wait a bit longer to re-open but we finally have a date to welcome back customers to our beer gardens which I know will be a very exciting prospect for many of our regulars."

Russ Kitching, owner of the Lapstone in Horton Heath claimed he's had people calling to book tables already.

"We're seeing people wanting to book, so there are positive signs of people wanting to engage and partake.

"It's a slow mountain to normality but there's a feelgood factor that the lockdown blues are coming to an end."

Aidan Lavin, co-owner of The Dancing Man Brewery at Town Quay said however that the first month will be "awkward" with the unpredictability of the weather.

"It's not the most ideal time of year to be functioning outside and I think we're going to struggle.

"We're quite excited about seeing our customers though. I see it as one last push and then we can start the road to recovery."