Thirsty punters raise a glass to pub open day

THE sun was shining as pubs across Stockport opened their beer gardens to punters following the easing of restrictions.

Under the new rules pubs can open but customers must order, eat and drink outside, while also adhering to the rule of six.

It wasn’t just pubs that could reopen as nonessential shops and businesses such as gyms and hairdressers returned too.

Landlady of the Hinds Head pub Jan Edwards said she was so busy she felt like she had gone ‘10 rounds with Mike Tyson’.

“It was extremely busy,” said Jan, who has run the pub with husband Colin and son Sam for nearly eight years.

“Everything went really well; it was nice to see all the customers. Running food and drink out there is not easy. It was hard for the staff.

“The amount of men that went ‘ahh’ after their first sip was funny. I shut up shop at nine o’clock because a lot of people had been drinking since 12!

“People said yesterday that it’s not even about the drink it’s about just seeing people and getting out in the fresh air and feeling normal.”

●●Alex Cully, Phil and Karen Thomas and Paul Barlow enjoying the sunshine at The Kenilworth in Cheadle Hulme.

●●Enjoying the beer garden at the Good Rebel in the town’s historic market place.

●●John Curley, owner of Bliss Hairdressing, with Paula with her mum Della.

●●The beer garden at the Red Bull on Middle Hillgate.

●●Punters enjoy their first drinks in the Hinds Head.

●●Outside the Jolly Sailor in Davenport.

●●Outside the Puss in Boots in Offerton