Performing arts can now take place outdoors from today with a socially distanced audience present, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced on Thursday.

This means that outdoor theatres, opera, dance and music can resume so long as they take place outside and with a limited and socially distanced audience.

Cirencester’s Téatro Bar and Restaurant is one of the venues that has been affected most.

As a dining venue it was only allowed to open last weekend, but one of its big draws is its live performances.

Rachel Wright is the executive director of Ingleside House and Téatro, she said: “We wanted to book our resident pianist, Steven Reid for Saturday, July 4, to play to our garden diners but was told this was not allowed,” she said.

“We are delighted to confirm that after the government’s announcement he is now booked to play in the restaurant garden on Saturday, July 18, from 3pm to 5pm and again in the evening 7pm until 9pm.

“We want our customers to be comfortable and enjoy their visit to the restaurant.

"One of the things that was missing last week was music and we are delighted to have Steve back at his piano.

“Tables must be pre-booked before people visit, and Téatro ‘strongly recommends’ that people follow the Government guidance of two households dining together of any number or up to six from any number of households.”