The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn joins the podcast as restaurant groups report an enormous demand for al fresco tables. One, the Incipio Group, says it’s taken more than 300,000 bookings for post-April 12, and some of its venues are close to having their weekends sold out until September. Jonathan says the strong response has given the company confidence to press ahead with plans for a further round of restuarant launches this year.

Meanwhile, one of central London’s biggest landlords is pledging to provide 800 outdoor seats for more diners and drinkers in the streets of Mayfair and Belgravia from next Monday in another major boost to the capital’s embattled hospitality sector. The Duke of Westminster’s family property company Grosvenor said North Audley Street in Mayfair would be transformed into an “outdoor dining room” while 150 seats will also be laid on at Motcomb Street in Belgravia .

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