INDOOR Hospitality Locations have reopened – and the Bridport business owners are “absolutely delighted” to be back.
Venues such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars reopened for indoor dining on Monday as the country took its third step on the “roadmap” out of lockdown. Hotels and B & Bs could also be opened.
Bridport’s business owners got their doors open and welcomed customers into their homes for the first time since the country fell into its third national lockdown in January – and the town was “busy”.
Many restaurants reopened on April 12th to serve customers outdoors. However, some companies with no outdoor area had to remain closed until this week.
Beach and Barnicott on South Street couldn’t open last month due to a lack of outdoor space, so the owners were thrilled to finally get back to work.
Beach and Barnicott has welcomed customers for indoor dining. Image: Chanie Ravenscroft
Chanie Ravenscroft, co-owner, said, “It was so nice to open up again and see people come in to eat and drink. It’s so nice to see all of Bridport buzz again.
“The customers were all really nice and there is a sense of community. It’s been a crazy year, but we’re all together.”
The Pursuit of Hoppiness on West Street reopened April 12 with outdoor seating, but the unreliable weather has proven to be a challenge for staff.
On-duty manager Alfie Shillingford said: “Trading outside was just difficult because there would be days when we would be open and have tables outside but then it started to rain so we had to close.
“It’s a great relief to know we can act whatever the weather after we reopen inside, and it’s been great. See some of our regulars return.”
Alfie, left, and Chris from The Pursuit of Hoppiness Pictured: The Pursuit of Hoppiness
Monday was a busy day for some venues in the city as residents and visitors made the most of the eased restrictions.
Billy Bayliss, manager of the Market House Inn on West Street, was blown away by the “incredible” number of customers walking through the doors.
He said, “We made at least 50 lunches and 40 dinners and for a Monday that’s amazing. People just seemed excited to be outside. It was great.”
Sian Thompson, General Manager of the Bull Hotel on East Street, prepares for her busiest summer ever.
She said, “The hotel is pretty full now – I don’t think we ever knew the occupancy was booked up until now. We’re booked from this weekend through September.
“We just have to keep everything that everyone plays according to the rules and we don’t go to another lock.”
“We are absolutely over the moon to be back.”
n The pubs in the region received an urgently needed surge in spending on Monday, as new figures show, as thirsty customers were allowed inside.
Banking company Revolut analyzed the data of its 4,000 customers in West Dorset on Monday and compared it to the average spend for a Monday in February last year.
According to the data, West Dorset drinkers averaged more than twice as much as normal on Monday – and were kicking back around 122 pints per minute at their peak. The largest donors in the region were men aged 18 to 24.
West Dorset customers have also spent more per round than others across the country – £ 15.15 per transaction, compared to the UK average of £ 12.86.