Most people across Watford are not planning on heading back to pubs when they open on Saturday, a poll has found.

Health and safety company Protecting found that only one in five people across the town are looking forward to their first post-lockdown pint, with most choosing to stay away over fears around social distancing and a second wave of coronavirus.

Pubs - along with restaurants, bars and cafes - were forced to close at the end of March when the coronavirus lockdown was brought into effect by the Government.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that they can reopen on July 4 with measures in place in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Full list of businesses that can and cannot reopen on July 4 here

However, out of 980 Watford residents, some 80 per cent said they would be staying away from the pubs when they reopen.

The poll found that most people were concerned over safety issues, with one saying that “I really, really, want to go for a drink. But I just don’t feel it’s safe yet".

Another said: "Personally, I’m going to wait and let other people experience it first. Once it’s been proven safe, I might go for a drink.”

One other concerned resident said: "I’d really like to, but I think I’m going to give it a miss until there is a vaccine.”

Mark Hall, from Protecting, said people in the town are feeling "a bit apprehensive" about returning to pubs.

He said: "It’s been three months since lockdown began. I think people are feeling a bit anxious about going to places that are likely to be busy, such as going down the local for a few drinks.

“Our poll shows that people don’t want to take the risk just for a sake of a cheeky couple of pints.

“I just don’t feel it’s safe yet.”

He added: "A lot of people have missed taking part in social activities during lockdown, but they’ve also taken on board the advice given to them about social distancing.

"So I think as much as people want to relax and hang out with their friends they are feeling a bit apprehensive about it."

Pubs that are reopening in Watford will have to do so with strict new measures in place, including the installation of perspex screens and a table only service.

Ahead of the reopening on Saturday, Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "This has been a difficult time for many local businesses and so I’m pleased that pubs, bars and restaurants in Watford can now re-open. Our Environmental Health Team have been working incredibly hard with local businesses to prepare for this and I am very grateful for their hard work.

"Pubs and bars have taken tremendous steps to operate safely and we want to be as flexible as possible to help where we can. I would urge everyone in our town to continue to stay safe and consider others over the weekend. We are all looking forward to welcoming back our pubs, cafes and restaurants and need to do this in a safe way.”