PUBS, restaurants and cafes across Halesowen town opened their doors to welcome back customers indoors today (Monday May 17) as part of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Staff and customers were relieved to get back to normality after months of closure - but many eateries reported a quiet day with the weather and fears over the new Indian coronavirus variant possible factors putting people off.
Among those throwing open their doors were Jimmy Macks restaurant, The Grill, the Olde Queens Head, The William Shenstone Wetherspoons pub, Think Fresh desserts, bar Talk of the Town, Picks, Costa, Asda cafe and Carly's cafe in the Plaza Mall.
One Halesowen cafe - the English Rose tea room reopened today after being closed since last November.
Halesowen BID manager Vicky Rogers said: "It's been wonderful to see people sitting in pubs and cafes - it's the next step back to normality.
"It's great for those businesses who hadn't the outdoor space or space to do social distancing back trading again."
English Rose Tearoom owner Sam Dance said it had been a quiet day.
The cafe was getting ready to open when the country plunged back into lockdown last December.
Sam said: "It was a bit quiet, maybe because of the weather. We're glad to be back open after being closed since last year.
"We weren't expecting it to be busy, but it was quieter than we thought. We have spoken to other shops in Halesowen and they have all said it has been quiet today.
"Hopefully we will stay open - as the amount of food we had to throw away last lockdown was awful - it was a nightmare."
Pictured above: Customers at Jimmy Macks
Jimmy Macks staff member Vicky White also said it had been a quiet day.
She thought some people had lost confidence in dining out and were possibly worried about the new Indian coronavirus variant.
Vicky said: "It's been really nice to see everyone think the weather has put some people off - it's been a bit quieter than we expected.
"I think some people are worried about the new variant - people are wary - but it's been nice to get back to normality. We have stayed open for delivery and takeaway throughout but to be open indoors is great."
Pictured above: Inside the William Shenstone which reopened today
Bars, restaurants and cafes are just some of the businesses which can take full advantage of the change in guidance, along with indoor entertainment and attractions, hotels and indoor sports venues.
Pictured above: Carly's cafe in the Plaza Mall was pleased to welcome back customers to dine in
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