Excitement is clear to see as pubs and restaurants open up again

Are you heading to the pub or restaurant today, on the first day many Oldham outlets will, at long last, be able to welcome customers inside their premises once again?

The latest stager of easing of restrictions means that many pub and restaurant owners are both ‘excited and anxious’ about reopening their doors today, welcoming some ‘normality’ but citing the uncertainty around recovery as ‘worrying’.

It comes as Covid-19 has cost pub and restaurant owners £40,313 each on average, with owners expecting losses to reach £45,470 in total, according to study of businesses in the food and drink industry by small business insurer Simply Business.

Businesses in the food and drink industry have lost more than double the average small business during Covid-19 (£15,673 each on average).

The management at the Dog Inn in Chadderton are clearly excited to be re-opening today, however.

A post on their Facebook page last night (Sunday) read: “Well everyone, the time is nearly here.

“We are all set for opening the doors at 12 pm tomorrow.

“Don’t forget your face coverings, keys, glasses, phone, and wallet, and anything else you might need when you leave the house.

“We can’t wait to open those doors and welcome all those smiling faces.”

The Haggate pub in Royton added: “Today's the day - we can finally welcome you all back!

“No need to book a table - walk ins are more than welcome.

“Join us from 12pm and enjoy a drink or two with us.

“We've missed all of our customers and can't wait to see you!”

The Colliers Arms in Chadderton (picturd below) re-opens today.

They posted: “Well we SURVIVED!! It's been a very difficult 14 months for everybody, but he reset button has been well and truly pushed.

“The past 17 years count for nothing and we start all over again at the beginning.

“We re-open in a HUGE amount of debt (literally 10's of thousands of pounds owed in rent etc) - so the HARD WORK STARTS NOW.

“I am under no illusion it's going to be easy - BUT I WILL TRY MY BEST.

“We NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER!!

“Thank you for your patience.”

Oldham’s Masterchef champion Simon Wood’s restaurant in central Manchester has been open outdoors since April 12, but he re-opens indoors this Wednesday (May 19).

He is also clearly excited to be re-opening his doors, and he’s offered his best wishes to those re-opening today.

Simon (above) posted on the Wood Restaurant Group Facebook page: “For months we’ve been excitedly preparing for our reopening and the team are looking forward to welcoming you back to WOOD from Wednesday.

“It has been so long since the glasses were polished, the plates were hot and the kitchen alive with the sound of service.

“We can’t wait to welcome you back into our dining room.

“Good luck to everyone in hospitality on this momentous day. May 17, 2021.”

Meanwhile, Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, has reacted to remarks made by the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, on the possibility of local lockdowns and delays to Step 4, planned to ease on June 21, when the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact.

"Although I am thrilled that indoor hospitality, cultural venues, theatres and cinemas are reopening today,” said Mr Lord.

“I am deeply concerned by the comments made over the weekend regarding questionable local lockdowns and possible delays to the roadmap.

"Greater Manchester has been in a state of lockdown for longer than most of the UK and we now find ourselves with the very familiar feeling of uncertainty about what the next few weeks hold.

"As local lockdowns and delays have now been raised as possible options to control the variant, the Government must come forward immediately and provide specifics on how nightlife businesses will be financially supported if these ideas do come to fruition, including whether business rates will be extended.

“Floating these ideas without providing this information causes unnecessary stress and anxiety to business owners.

"Many venues have viewed June 21 as the date when they can finally begin to rebuild their livelihoods.

“To delay this or to impose new lockdowns without extending financial support will have grave consequences for a sector which has been fighting so desperately to stay afloat."

From today (Monday), all indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.

Up to six people or two households are now able to meet indoors again, and up to 30 people outdoors.

Step 4 in the easing of restrictions roadmap is due to take place no earlier than June 21.

Further detail on Step 4 will be set out by the government at the end of this month.

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