Restaurants are excited to welcome back customers this week as lockdown restrictions ease following government announcements.

Barrow's Sweet Pepper Cafe has not reopened for dine-in guests since the original lockdown back in March 2020 and its owners are over the moon to see their customers return.

“We have been looking forward to this since the first lockdown in March last year,” owner Mig Carbonell said.

“But now this feels more and more like we are on the verge of beating this virus.

“We just carried on with deliveries.

“We already had a delivery system in place anyway, so we just had to focus more on pushing through the back door rather than welcoming in people from the front.”

The vegan restaurant owner went on to express excitement in interacting with customers again and delighted in the fact they could get more instant feedback.

“I have missed the customer interaction as we live to serve, and it is much better when you can talk to them face to face.”

Despite most places being excited about the news, there are still some venues that are waiting a little longer before opening to dine-in guests due to social distancing issues.

A statement from Bici Cafe, a popular Italian in Ulverston, said: “The ongoing restrictions on social distancing, combined with the size and layout of Bici, create some difficulties for us in terms of capacity and staffing; keeping everyone safe but still operating commercially.

“So, for now, we will be continuing with our popular and efficient takeaway service.

“We will be monitoring the situation closely over the coming weeks and, assuming the conditions are right, we are hoping to re-open to dine-in customers towards the end of June.”

As well as restaurants opening indoors for dine-in guests, from today people can socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays.

Pubs, theatres and other venues can open indoors. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for people on holiday.