As pubs and restaurants throw open their doors, Britons prove too scared to enter

“People have got into the habit of saving more, doing more in their community, and shopping more locally,” he says.

“This has got profound implications for businesses. If you are a local family-owned business, should you have an online presence? Absolutely. But you should shout more about what you do locally? Yes you should.”

One example of that is Top Cuvee, a restaurant in Highgate, north London.

When Covid struck the site became a retailer, initially to clear the stock of wine in the cellar.

“Retail was the only option. Initially we needed to pay the team, the rent, and the suppliers,” says co-founder Brodie Meah.

“We put it out on Instagram and the response was overwhelming – we were crazy busy. That led to a funny situation where we said, ‘hang on a minute – we’re going to have to get more stock’.”

As demand grew they started selling online, with rapid local delivery by bicycle and national next day delivery too.

Meah has twice as many staff now as before the pandemic.

“It is booming. It is 10-times over, the volume of wine we are selling now,” he says, speaking from his bike on a delivery run.

The restaurant is fully booked for its first week open. But retail means the company can balance any shaky in-person demand with online sales.

Customers have got used to staying at home in the pandemic. If they will not go to the business, the business might have to keep going to them.

Have you been to eat or drink inside a restaurant or pub since restrictions eased? Tell us in the comments section below