Oakman Inns, which runs a number of pubs across Oxfordshire, has said it will open all of its sites on July 4 because it ‘cannot wait’ for the Government to make a decision about whether it is safe.

The chain runs The Old Post Office in Wallingford, The Crown and Thistle in Abingdon and The Blue Boar in Witney.

Oakman Inns’ founder Peter Borg-Neal tweeted: “So Oakman Inns will be opening all sites on the 4th July. It would irresponsible for us to delay as we would be putting jobs at risk.

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"To open without proper forward planning would also be wrong. We cannot wait for the Government to make a decision.”

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Following the tweet he said he was getting 'numerous messages of support from other publicans vowing to open on the 4th'.

The chain has said it will use screens and other social distancing measures when its pubs do reopen.

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The Government has said pubs, restaurants and the hospitality sector could reopen from July 4 but has given no guarantees and is stressing that there needs to be a 'cautious and safe' approach.