Are they allowed to hold this event?

[TenCornMaidens]

A friend just said that she is planning on going ahead with an outdoor fundraising meal with 40 tables (plus wait staff) on 9 July. I'm thinking that is not allowed. Who's right?

Not sure

Probably depends on if the tables are classed as separate gatherings.

I guess 40 tables of 6 might be. Maybe depends how it is licensed?

Yes if the tables are separate tables of 6 I cant see anything wrong with it - its how pubs and restaurants have been working for awhile

Should be fine. I was at a festival of 4K this weekend.

She's found a way

Pubs and restaurants are allowed to operate on a tables of six basis but I thought a private gathering was still limited to 30. I might be wrong.

I suppose it depends on where it's being held and under whose auspices, and what licences and permissions they have - over and above that of a a private citizen.

@TenCornMaidens

A friend just said that she is planning on going ahead with an outdoor fundraising meal with 40 tables (plus wait staff) on 9 July. I'm thinking that is not allowed. Who's right?

Why do you care?

Thanks all, sounds like I could well be wrong.

I care because I don't want my friend to unwittingly break the law, but also because she asked my daughter to waitress. Thanks.

There's an exemption for work or volunteering or looking after vulnerable people. Does your friend think she's covered under one of those?

I suspect it's probably not, but you might get away with it if the people on different tables don't know each other and you are extremely stringent about policing people staying seated all the time and not mixing between tables. So absolutely no going over to someone at another table to say hi 'just for a second'.

Unless your daughter is desperate for the money, I wouldn't. Purely because I suspect the chance of needing to self isolate as a result of a gathering that size is not worth it.

She can - but it must be COVID secure, risk assessed and everyone must socially distance.
She can be fine £10,000 if not.

It's outside. So surely ok?
What are the rules / why would it not be?

@TenCornMaidens

I care because I don't want my friend to unwittingly break the law, but also because she asked my daughter to waitress. Thanks.

Well then why don't you check out the current regulations rather than expecting randoms on the internet to find out for you?