WHILE the country awaits news for the reopening date of pubs when the road out of lockdown is set out next week, two St Helens establishments have shared details of ongoing renovations to their outside areas.

The Gerard Arms in Dentons Green is using the lockdown period to refurbish its outside beer garden at the back.

In a video landlord Mark Hayes set out some of the changes which are being made to the outside area of the pub.

A new seating area is being created, which will have a heated roof to provide seating in all weathers.

Flowerbeds and artificial turf will be fitted.

Meanwhile, there will be a further seating area outside of the roof with a larger capacity.

Rustic lighting is to be added, with poles situated around the whole beer garden.

A new gate to the beer garden will be created and the existing raised decking area will see new furniture.

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Meanwhile, the Griffin Inn in Eccleston is also seeing works on a new outside area.

A Facebook post by the pub said: "With the inside complete and time on our hands, what do we do? Rest up? No, don’t be silly, we start work on the outdoors.

"Covered booths and outdoor heating are on the plans for this year and we aren’t going to let Covid stop us so we continue to reinvest.

"We’re using this time to make sure that we are ready for those summer days and cooler late nights and hoping that very soon we’ll be able to see family and friends outdoors in the beer garden; catching up and making memories.

"All that we’ll be missing then is you guys and we can’t wait to welcome you back. Keep following the journey as the excitement builds."