LIVE updates as Derbyshire welcomes customers back inside as lockdown eases
and live on Freeview channel 276
For many bars, eateries, museums cafes and restaurants the latest relaxing of Covid-19 rules couldn’t come a moment too soon, despite caution over the so-called Indian variant.
Pubs cafes and restaurants in Chesterfield and north Derbyshire are opening their doors, inside, rather than outside this time to diners again for the first time in months.
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Hide AdKeep up to date by following our live blog below and watch the area come alive again as customers set foot indoors some of its most well-loved establishments.
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Live updates as indoor hospitality reopens in Chesterfield and across north Derbyshire
Key Events
- Lockdown restrictions ease further as pubs and restuarants welcome customers back indoors
- Outdoor performances such as outdoor cinemas, outdoor theatres and outdoor cinemas can reopen
- Entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes also allowed to resume
- Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals
- PM calls for a “heavy dose of caution” as indoor socialising and physical contact resumes
- Derbyshire public health director warns people should enjoy new freedoms ‘safely'
Face coverings, social distancing and track and trace
While Covid-19 restrictions have relaxed further to allow people to socialise and dine indoors, along with giving entertainment venues the green light to open up from today, some measures still remain.
Staff and customers are required to wear masks inside, unless visitors are seated at a table and abide by social distancing.
Customers should also be asked to sign into the NHS Track and Trace app upon arrival.
New hotel rooms available at The Spread Eagle
Today was the first day many hospitality businesses got the chance to show off their new interiors and lockdown refurbishments as restrictions relaxed even further.
The Spread Eagle in Chesterfield has new hotel rooms available for the night.
Grins behind face coverings as Chesterfield residents support hospitality’s full reopening
Customers have flocked to The Spread Eagle pub on Beetle Street this afternoon, to show their support as they can now enjoy drinks and food indoors.
More here.
Pubs reopen indoors after lockdown
Take a look at customers and staff dining indoors on the first day of hospitality fully reopening.
First look at Chesterfield reopening: Customers enjoy food and drink inside at town’s most popular pubs
After weeks of only being able to serve customers outside, huddling over soggy pints – people are now able to eat and drink indoors.
Residents were captured enjoying their new-found freedoms at Spa Lane Vaults this morning.
Business chief hails 'crucial milestone' as indoor hospitality returns
The East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire) have reacted to the latest easing of virus restrictions today.
Chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Today marks another crucial milestone in our economic recovery and there will be many pubs, restaurants, cafés, cinemas and other businesses celebrating the opportunity to either expand their capacity or reopen for the first time this year.”
More available in John Smith’s report.
Health chief urges caution as Covid restrictions ease in Derbyshire despite 'significant outbreak'
As infection rates in areas of the county remain high, Derbyshire’s director of public health Dean Wallace is calling for people to remain on their guard and enjoy their new freedoms safely.
It comes after two cases in the Long Eaton community were confirmed as ‘variants of concern’.
Read the full story here.
‘I’m just missing that kind of closeness’: Derbyshire mum explains what it means to hug loved ones again
While the Prime Minister has urged people to be cautious, people are allowed to hug their friends and family for the first time in months today.
Charlotte Mason, who lives in Clowne, is excited to embrace her two best friends Sarah and Jenny, who she’s known for over 15 years.
She said: “It is just missing that kind of closeness, I have met up with them in gardens and I have popped out to the shops with them but it’s not quite the same.”
Smiles as punters enjoy pints inside
One pub delighted to be finally fully reopening is The Market, on New Beetwell Street.
Douglas Daniels, owner, said: “We’re greatly looking forward to getting back, as are the whole team.
“We’ve really missed all of our customers and can’t wait to welcome them back.”
More reaction available here.
Reopening ‘massive relief’ for pub which debuts new interior after lockdown revamp
The Kelstedge, on Matlock Road, Kelstedge, underwent a revamp during lockdown ahead of reopening its beer garden on April 12.
Now staff cannot wait to show off the new-look interior.
Helen Marshall, manager, said: “It’s a massive relief to be able to fully reopen – we can’t wait for it and neither can our customers.”
For more, click here.