Let’s toast
Region’s pubs and shops come to life again
Alistair Robertson, a regular at the Cherrybank Inn, Perth, was first through the gates of the popular pub’s beer garden, right on opening time pictured manning the beer taps at his establishment’s revamped outdoor seating area on Monday morning.
Scott said previously he had “hundreds of bookings” lined up for two-hour time slots and extended his beer garden further into the car park with ten tables.
“The slots manage it really well and we would not have opened at level three if they had not changed it to allow alcohol outdoors,” he said.
“It will be good to get back to normality, not just for customers but for the staff too.
“The last year has been very difficult due to COVID as we have been closed for nine out of the last 12 months but I’ve always tried to remain positive and look at ways of progressing the business during this time ready for reopening.
“It has been a long road and we are just delighted.”
Co-chair of Perth Traders’ Association Dawn Cotton Fuge is keen to see people support local independent shops.
Dawn, who also owns Precious Sparkle, said: “I am so excited to finally be able to open and see people again. Non-essential shops have been shut for the last four months and shut for seven months of the last year.
“We are not out of the woods yet. But I feel so relieved to be opening.”
The new level also allows the number of people at events such as weddings and funerals to increase from 20 to 50 while