Wetherspoon's plans to start re-opening its pubs and hotels 'in or around June', it was revealed today.
Chairman Tim Martin was forced to close all 900 pubs and furlough 40,000 workers before Britain went on lockdown.
He was among the last on the High Street to shut up shop, with drinkers downing their final pints on March 20 - just three days before a shutdown was imposed by law.
There were threats to stage a nationwide boycott of the chain when Mr Martin claimed closing pubs was 'over the top' and that supermarkets posed a bigger risk of spreading coronavirus than bars.
He later refused to pay workers until he received the appropriate government bailout and sparked further fury and accusations of hypocrisy when he told workers to get jobs at Tesco instead.
Wetherspoons is planning to re-open its pubs and hotel nationwide 'in or around June'
Chairman Tim Martin (pictured with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July last year) was forced to close all 900 pubs and furlough 40,000 workers when Britain went on lockdown on March 23
Drinkers are pictured at JJ Moon's in Tooting, south London, on March 20, the final day Wetherspoon was open nationwide
The news was met with joy from some on social media, with Britons desperate to get back to their favourite pubs
His pub in Crystal Palace, south London, was daubed with the words 'pay your staff' after the Brexit-backing boss refused to pay staff until his government money came through.
Today JD Wetherspoon said it aims to raise £141million as part of a share placement scheme so it can re-open as the summer begins.
The company said it would raise the amount through the issue of up to 15.7 million shares at 900 pence per share.
But Public Health England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam today appeared to dash hopes of pubs re-opening anytime soon.
Asked about the re-opening of pubs, beaches and garden centres, he told the Downing Street press conference: 'At various different points they might involve the congregation of individuals and one has to be very painstaking and careful about thinking through some of these before we make the wrong move to relax measures.
'I think we have to be extremely surefooted and extremely painstaking about this.
'This virus will absolutely come back … this is with us for quite some time, potentially for as long as until we get a vaccine.
'So from that perspective we have to be really careful and really surefooted and I'm just not going to suggest for a moment that any of this should be rushed.'
But others were less pleased, threatening to boycott the chain if and when they re-open
A Wetherspoon pub in Crystal Palace, south London, (pictured) was daubed with the words 'pay your staff' after the Brexit-backing boss refused to pay workers until he had received a Government bailout
Mr Martin, a Conservative Party donor and ardent Brexiteer, caused even more controversy last month when he said he would catch coronavirus because his 'chances are good'.
The 64-year-old said: 'If someone offered me the opportunity now to have it under supervised conditions, I think I'd probably take it because your chances are very, very good.'
He told Sky at the time: 'Supermarkets are very, very crowded. Pubs are much less crowded.
'There's hardly been any transmission of the virus within pubs and I think it's over the top to shut them. That's a commercial view but also a common sense view.'
He claimed that a nationwide shutdown was 'draconian' and that it didn't offer 'health benefits'.
Mr Martin had hoped he could get away with introducing social distancing in his pubs, with a 'regulars only' policy in some.
He said that people would be able to keep their distance more easily as footfall dropped with some unable to leave the house due to underlying health conditions.
The news was met with a mixed response on social media, with some desperate to get back to their favourite pubs and others continuing to threaten a boycott.
One person asked if they could pre-order drinks ahead of the possible June re-opening.
But someone else wrote: 'I'm planning to socially distance from Wetherspoons and Tim Martin for a very long time indeed.'
Another person commented: 'I most certainly will not be spending money in a Wetherspoons after all this is over. #TimMartin.'
Wetherspoon pubs nationwide closed their doors on March 20 - three days before they were forced to shutdown by law
More than 26,000 people have died with coronavirus in the UK, making it the second worst-hit country in Europe, new figures have shown.
A total of 26,097 people have died after contracting COVID-19, according to government data which included deaths in care homes and the wider community for the first time.
The total is up from 21,678 coronavirus deaths in UK hospitals announced on Tuesday but Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted there had not been a "sudden surge".
26,097 total UK deaths from coronavirus
The latest deaths included a 14-year-old in England who had no known underlying health condition.
Public Health England (PHE) said the new method of reporting deaths showed an additional 3,811 fatalities since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, about 70% of which were "outside hospital settings".
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There were 765 deaths reported in the 24 hours to 5pm on Tuesday.
The total number of UK coronavirus deaths was recorded between 2 March and 28 April and was around 17% higher than previous data showed, according to PHE.
More from Covid-19
Its medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said she could not yet say whether deaths in care homes were falling.
She told the daily Downing Street briefing: "We should know that soon because the hospital curve has declined."
Image:Dr Yvonne Doyle said she could not yet say whether deaths in care homes were falling.
Prof Doyle said the figure for deaths in care homes may be revised up further.
She added: "In due course those deaths sadly may occur on death certificates, so we may expect more than we are seeing at the moment."
The UK's new coronavirus death total means it is the third worst-hit country in the world, behind Italy with 26,872 deaths and the US with more than 59,000 fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the outbreak.
Nearly a third of all care homes in England have reported suspected or confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks.
Some 4,516 homes have reported outbreaks since 17 March up until Monday this week - around 29% of the total care homes.
In every region in England more than a fifth of care homes had reported outbreaks.
Care worker: 'We lose someone every shift'
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday he wanted to "bring as much transparency as possible" to the coronavirus death figures by including those in care homes and the community.
Mr Raab - standing in for Boris Johnson following the birth of the prime minister's son - said there was a "joint horror" across the House of Commons at the number of people killed in the outbreak.
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had suggested in March that keeping the UK's death total below 20,000 would be a good outcome.
Raab and Starmer spar politely over exit strategy
At Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "We're clearly way above that number and we're only part way through this crisis and we're possibly on track to have one of the worst death rates in Europe."
He took issue with Mr Johnson's comments about the "apparent success" of the UK's strategy, adding: "Far from success these latest figures are truly dreadful."
Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced that 19,740 hospital patients with coronavirus had died in England after another 445 deaths.
In Scotland, 1,415 coronavirus hospital patients have died - an increase of 83 on the previous day.
And COVID-19 deaths in Welsh hospitals rose by 73 to 886.
The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland increased to 338 after nine further deaths.
Scotland's figure is lower than the 2,272 deaths announced by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), which include suspected and probable COVID-19 infections.
Of the deaths announced by NRS, 39% took place in care homes, with 52% in hospitals and 9% in homes or non-institutional settings.
The coronavirus deaths in hospitals in England included:
129 in London
96 in the Midlands
72 in the North East and Yorkshire
59 in the North West
57 in the South East
55 in the East of England
16 in the South West
It was revealed on Tuesday there were 4,343 coronavirus-related deaths reported by care home providers in England over a two-week period up to 24 April.
Meanwhile, Mr Raab said more than 52,000 coronavirus tests took place across the UK on Tuesday - just two days before the date the government set for reaching 100,000 a day.
But he is now back in No10 working, and was due to have a call with Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer this afternoon.
He will speak with Her Majesty the Queen tonight, by phone.
A spokesperson said: "The PM was in the hospital this morning and he is back in No10 this afternoon.
"The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, deputised for the PM this morning, and I’m sure the PM will catch up what happened at PMQS this afternoon."
No 10 previously said the baby was due in early summer, with further reports suggesting the end of May or beginning of June, meaning the couple conceived shortly after moving into Downing Street last year.
What we know so far:
While the new arrival is Ms Symond's first child, it is believed to be Mr Johnson's sixth - and is his third son.
He has four children with ex-wife Marina Wheeler - two sons Milo, 24, and Theodore, 20, and two daughters Lara, 26, and Cassia, 22.
Boris also has another daughter, Stephanie, born in 2009, after an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
Downing Street would not confirm more details of the baby's birth - such as the hospital, the weight, or a name.
They also couldn't say whether the baby came earlier than planned, or was born by cesarean.
They said the PM followed hospital rules at all times, which could have meant he was unable to spend much time at the hospital beyond the birth.
'HEALTHY BABY BOY'
A spokesman for the couple said: "The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well.
"The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team."
The Prime Minister returned to work on Monday after two weeks at Chequers recovering from covid-19.
During his life-and-death battle he spent three days in intensive care and a week in St Thomas' Hospital, London, after struggling to shake off the bug.
It is not yet known if the baby was born at St Thomas' - the closest hospital to No 10 - or on another London maternity ward.
Carrie, who was also self-isolating for a week with the virus, was not allowed to visit Boris in hospital, but is said to have shared scans of the baby with him at the time to lift his spirits.
The couple, who have been dating since he split from his wife Marina back in 2018, were engaged earlier this year and announced they were expecting back in February.
They made history as the first unmarried couple to officially live together in Downing Street when they moved into the flat above Number 11, following Boris' election as Conservative Party leader.
It was confirmed today that Boris will take his paternity leave later in the year, so he can still keep a firm grip on the country's coronavirus crisis.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Boris' dad Stanley Johnson said this morning he was "absolutely delighted” and “thrilled” with the news of another grandson.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new arrival was "fantastic news in challenging times".
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident.
"Congratulations to @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on the birth of their son."
Carrie Symonds was last seen at 10 Downing Street on April 12 as the Prime Minister left intensive careCredit: Reuters
Carrie pictured with dog Dilyn while self isolating with coronavirus
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: "So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!"
Former Prime Minister David Cameron even offered the PM a cot and climbing frame to help him on his way.
He tweeted: "Heartfelt congratulations @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on your wonderful news today.
"Sam and I are thrilled for you both! Sorry we didn't leave the cot - but the climbing frame should still be in the garden!"
London Mayor Sadiq Khan sent his "warmest congratulations" to the couple, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote: "Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds."
Meanwhile, a Labour MP was forced to delete a tweet which said the PM had found “yet another excuse” to miss PMQs.
Ruth Cadbury Tweeted: “It appears Boris Johnson has just found yet another excuse to miss #PMQs.”
The MP, who represents Brentford and Isleworth, quickly deleted the post after several people said it was inappropriate.
The newborn baby is the latest to be born to a serving prime minister. Downing Street has been home to a number of babies, with Tony Blair and David Cameron both adding to their broods while in Number 10.
But that is a relatively recent trend, with a gap of more than a century before Cherie Blair gave birth to Downing Street tot Leo Blair in 1997.
And today's whirlwind birth comes after a busy few months for the PM.
After December's election and passing Brexit on January 31, he quickly found himself dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in early March.
By April 5, he had contracted the deadly bug himself and ended up in hospital - spending three days in intensive care.
He finally returned to work on Monday - but now faces more sleepless nights as he welcomes the new bundle of joy.
How many children does Boris Johnson have and what are their names?
1) Lara Lettice
The 27-year-old is the eldest of Boris Johnson's brood and was conceived ahead of her parents' wedding.
The MP married barrister Marina Wheeler in 1993 when she was pregnant with their daughter.
Lara, who styles herself with the double barrelled surname Johnson-Wheeler, is a writer, editor and broadcaster.
2) Milo Johnson
The 25-year-old is the second eldest of the Johnson clan and is the oldest of his boys.
He was educated at the £27,174 a year Westminster School where he was said to excel at sports.
In a 2011 issue of his school magazine he was called a "delight to watch" and was "without doubt the player of the season" for his football skills.
3) Cassie Johnson
The 22-year-old is the third of Johnson's children with Marina. She studied at the £18,000 per year Highgate School in North London.
Like her father she is a writer and during her time at the private school she was a student editor of their alumni magazine Cholmeleian.
She did not speak publicly about her parents' divorce, unlike her sister Lara who branded Boris a "b*****d".
4) Theodore Johnson
The 20-year-old is the youngest of Johnson's children with ex-wife Marina.
It is not known which school he attended but it is believed to be one in London as he was pictured outside their Islington home in a school uniform in 2016.
He went on to attend Cambridge University - whereas his dad went to their rival Oxford.
5) Stephanie
His kids have a younger half-sister, Stephanie, who was born in 2009 - the product of an affair with art advisory Helen Macintyre.
Stephanie is the second youngest of Johnson's children. At first, he denied paternity and wasn't named on the birth certificate.
However, his relations were revealed after a 2013 court battle in which he sought an injunction to prevent her existence being reported.
6) Baby boy
Boris' fiancee Carrie Symonds has given birth to a baby boy today.
Both mum, 32, and baby are "doing very well" after the birth in a London hospital earlier this morning.
The couple have not released the name of their son.
Boris and Carrie pictured in the stands during a Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
Boris kisses Carrie after his keynote speech during the 2019 Conservative Party Conference in ManchesterCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Carrie and Boris mark International Women's Day at Downing StreetCredit: PA:Press Association
Boris and Carrie thank hospice staff at a Downing Street reception in August last yearCredit: Reuters
Boris and Carrie pictured at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester last yearCredit: AFP - Getty
MASK UP
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BOJO'S BROOD
Meet Boris' five other children as he becomes a father for the sixth time
PARENT TRAP
Boris’ dad Stanley and Carrie’s parents face meeting new baby over Zoom
NAPPY VALLEY
How Downing Street will have to change now Boris & Carrie have a baby in No10
BACK SO SOON?
Was Boris and Carrie’s baby born at hospital that saved him from coronavirus?
SCHOOL’S OUT
Kids could face long wait for school return 'with infants first back in class'
TESTING SCRAMBLE
Coronavirus home-test kits run out again in just 80 minutes
BABY JOY
The Queen sends congratulations to Boris and Carrie on new baby
BO-NO TIME OFF
Boris delays paternity leave due to coronavirus crisis
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House of Commons send best wishes to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds during PMQs, after the birth of their baby boy
