Bridport shops, restaurants, pubs and hairdressers reopen

Shops, gyms, hairdressers and pubs, cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating areas welcomed back members of the public yesterday after more than three months of closure.

Despite showers being forecast, the weather held out and residents enjoyed their pints, meals and trips to the shops in the April sun.

With many residents not having had a haircut since December, it is little surprise that a number of hairdressers and barber shops in and around town had queues forming outside throughout the day.

A socially distanced queue formed outside The Gunz barber shop as residents sought their long awaited post-lockdown haircuts Picture: Bradley White

There was a 'positive and upbeat' atmosphere about the town as people enjoyed being able to visit their favourite shops once again.

One shopper, who showed off a jumper she had purchased from the Age UK shop on West Street, said: "It's just so lovely to be able to see people out and about again.

"We've been cooped up for so long, I think everyone needed to get out."

'It's so lovely to see people out and about': Another happy customer at Age UK's West Street shop Picture: Bradley White

Marie Oldham, owner of Malabar Trading on South Street, said: "The energy has been so positive all day. Everyone is so upbeat and so happy to be out.

"It's been busy, but not chaotic, which is nice - a good steady pace and everyone has been really considerate and have been keeping to the rules and staying safe.

Marie Oldham, owner of Malabar Trading

"It's been so great being able to catch up with all of our customers, everyone seems really happy that the shops have reopened."

Elsewhere, drinks were enjoyed in the sunshine throughout the town.

One customer who was enjoying their beverage at the Market House Inn, said: "It's about time we were able to do this. It's so great to be allowed back out and enjoy a pint in the sunshine.

"Everyone is smiling and in good spirits - the town is buzzing and there's a really positive atmosphere."

The Market House Inn has spent the lockdown expanding its outside seating areas to accommodate as many people as possible.

Residents enjoyed drinks in the sunshine at the Market House Inn Picture: Bradley White

Landlord Guy Bayliss said: "It feels so good to be back doing what we do best - we've all really missed the buzz.

"Hopefully this is the last time we have to do this and we can take another step back to normality in May - but for now we're doing the best with what we've got.

"We have a new menu which can be ordered from your table through an app and a lot more outside seating which my son (manager, Billy Bayliss) has put a lot of hard work into making a reality."

Sian Thompson, manager of the Bull Hotel, said: "Today has been fantastic - everybody seems so happy to be out and get to see more than the same two or three faces they see everyday.

"It's a little bit strange for us as a hotel just to be open for outside drinking and dining and to have no guests but it's definitely a nice way to ease back into things.

"There's a really positive vibe from both customers and staff - the team are really happy to get back to it."

These customers celebrated a birthday the Bull Hotel Picture: Bradley White

For more on yesterday's partial reopening, pick up a copy of this week's Bridport News - on sale from Thursday, April 15.

Let us know how you spent the day in the comments below!