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Oh, that’s beautiful.. that’s the first pint since November 2
BEER-STARVED pub-goers described the return to the boozer as “being like kids at Christmas” as England reopened after lockdown yesterday.
Thousands supped alfesco drinks in freezing temperatures and snow flurries, while high streets had more than a 200% surge in shoppers after three months of lockdown. Mirror reader Trevor Deighton, of Leeds, was out celebrating his 82nd birthday next week with his first pint in six months. Taking a sip, the retired printer said: “Oh, that’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. “That’s the first one since November 2 and it’s so nice.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for such a long time. I’d bought two bottles of wine and 20 bottles of Corona at Christmas and they’re still at home. I couldn’t drink in the house because it wasn’t the same. It’s the social side, seeing people everywhere. Just need my club to open now.”
Workmates Peter Andrew, 56, and Clive Dodd, 64, beamed as they sat at the Dog and Bull in Croydon, South London.
After sipping his first proper pint of the year, civil servant Peter said: “My God, that is refreshing.”
Clive said: “December 13 was the last ale we had. Brilliant.
“We’ll be here until a few sundowns later, and they’ve sat us closest to the exit so we don’t have too far to fall out – or crawl out. It’s just great to see the lads again. It used to be every Friday, we haven’t seen each other since December.
“Honestly, this is like being a kid at Christmas.” Queues formed outside branches of Primark, JD Sports and TK Maxx, with retailers extending their opening hours. And bargain-hunters flocked to Debenhams stores for closing down sales.
Some pubs and hair salons opened at midnight, including the Oak Inn in Coventry, where 260 people were seated, its owner said.
And Ben Rodin, 28, was one of the first customers to get his hair cut at Rush Hair.
As he got his trim he said: “It’s a great feeling to be getting this chopped off – it’s been so long! I booked in two weeks ago and only just managed to get a slot.”
By 10am, the number of people out and about in shopping areas was up nearly 220% on the same day last week.
High streets experienced a 232% leap, and
TREVOR DEIGHTON AS HE NEARS HIS 82ND BIRTHDAY
shopping centres were almost 340% busier, said industry experts Springboard. But the initial rush lessened as the day wore on, with footfall in shops overall down more than a third compared with two years ago, when there was no coronavirus crisis.
John Lewis said best-selling items included decanters and tumblers, gift bags and Champagne, beauty products, and haberdashery items including buttons and knitting wool.
Nail salons, libraries, zoos, theme parks and outdoor areas at restaurants, cafes and bars can reopen under step two of the Government’s roadmap. Gyms, spas and swimming pools are opening for people attending alone or with their own household.
Mask-clad adrenaline junkies enjoyed rides as Alton Towers reopened, although visitors to the Staffordshire theme park faced longer queues due to social distancing measures.
Doug Putman, owner of record shop chain
hmv, said: “The British high street has had a tough start to 2021, but as the country slowly gets back to normal, we’re confident shoppers will return to supporting physical retail.
“For millions of customers, browsing in-store is something that can’t be replaced.”
Figures from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research showed
consumer confidence is steadily rising as the economy starts to reopen.
But there was a note of caution that many businesses still face a fight to survive.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said some pubs were “hanging on by their fingertips” and needed Government support.
The Mirror is also urging the public to back their local high streets as part of a Shop for Britain campaign.
In Wales, shopping hubs were busy as big non-essential retailers opened for the first time since before Christmas, with travel also allowed in and out from other parts of the UK. Pubs, cafes and restaurants are due to reopen outdoors from April 26, in Wales and Scotland.