PUBS, restaurants, hotels and hair salons in Yate and Chipping Sodbury are preparing to re-open after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave them the green light.

On Tuesday Mr Johnson announced that, from Saturday July 4, businesses in those industries can welcome customers inside again, due to the two-metre social distancing rule being relaxed to ‘one metre plus’.

This comes after a more than three-month closure enforced by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Many local landlords shared their joy at finally being allowed to welcome back patrons, albeit under much stricter measures than before lockdown.

Vicky Prested, landlady of The Dog Inn pub and B&B, in Old Sodbury, said:

“ Once the closure was implemented we focused on completely renovating the exterior of the premises, and we introduced takeaway meals.

"We would like to thank the locals that have assisted us, in particular Ian Alderson, Dave Mason and Dave Mullins

“Our focus is now the re-opening of the pub and ensuring that we can do so in a safe way.

“We have begun the process of completing risk assessments, creating operating procedures and safe systems.

"We have a key group of staff members to help with the development of these and we will train our other members, so that we can welcome our customers back into the pub in a safe but welcoming environment.

“As yet we do not know what ‘the new normal’ looks like and we are anticipating a period of settling in before a new way of working is fully embedded.

"Until then we will continue to try and do the right things by our customers and by our staff so that everyone can enjoy the time they spend here with us.”

Jenna Hale, landlady at The Codrington Arms in North Road, Yate, is “absolutely delighted” to finally have a date to re-open.

The pub has adopted a takeaway service with a reduced menu including afternoon teas, and Jenna will be continuing this service when her doors re-open on July 4.

She added: “There is no doubt that the new guidance will take a lot of getting used to– your pub and restaurant experience is going to be very different to what it was before.

“We have had so much amazing support from customers old and new, and are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for a pint and something delicious to eat.”

Regulars at Stanshawes Court Hotel in Yate have been counting down the days for its return.

Local Scott Walker said: “It’s great the pub is finally able to re-open. I am looking forward to finally being able to have a drink in the garden with my mates.”

Landlord Paul Davies added: “We can’t wait to see all our loyal customers return.”