"IT'S great to be back": Businesses throughout Bridport enjoyed their day in the sun as they were able to reopen for the first time in more than three months.

Shops, gyms, and hairdressers, and pubs, cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating areas welcomed back members of the public on Monday, April 12 after more than three months of closure.

Despite showers being forecast, the weather held out and residents enjoyed their pints, meals and trips to the shops in the April sun.

Alex Taylor, manager of the Tiger Inn and son of owner Graham, said: "It's great to be back open again - it's been a while. It's a nice day for it as well. It's really nice in the sun, a little cloudy, but better than rain.

"Everyone is in really good spirits and it's been really busy.

"The whole town is buzzing, it's good to see businesses getting on and getting back into the thick of it."

One customer who was enjoying their beverage at the Market House Inn, said: "It's about time we were able to do this. It's so great to be allowed back out and enjoy a pint in the sunshine.

"Everyone is smiling and in good spirits - the town is buzzing and there's a really positive atmosphere."

The Market House Inn has spent the lockdown expanding its outside seating areas to accommodate as many people as possible.

Landlord Guy Bayliss said: "It feels so good to be back doing what we do best - we've all really missed the buzz.

"Hopefully this is the last time we have to do this and we can take another step back to normality in May - but for now we're doing the best with what we've got.

"We have a new menu which can be ordered from your table through an app and a lot more outside seating which my son (manager, Billy Bayliss) has put a lot of hard work into making a reality."

The Pursuit of Hoppiness set up tables in the street outside the venue and provided their customers with full table service.

Manager Chris Denne said: "People having been chomping at the bit for pub and bars to reopen.

"The excitement has been building and building over the past few weeks and it's great to be open again and doing what we love."

A table of four were enjoying a birthday drink at the Bull Hotel, where the courtyard area was opened.

They were in great spirits as they shared a bottle of wine and one remarked: "It's so lovely to see people again - we're having a great time."

Sian Thompson, manager of the Bull Hotel, said: "Today has been fantastic - everybody seems so happy to be out and get to see more than the same two or three faces they see everyday.

"It's a little bit strange for us as a hotel just to be open for outside drinking and dining and to have no guests but it's definitely a nice way to ease back into things.

"There's a really positive vibe from both customers and staff - the team are really happy to get back to it."

With many residents not having had a haircut since December, it is little surprise that a number of hairdressers and barber shops in and around town had queues forming outside throughout the day.

There was a 'positive and upbeat' atmosphere about the town as people enjoyed being able to visit their favourite shops once again.

Steve Wheeler, owner of Steve's Barber Shop on East Street, said: "It was great to be back amongst our customers who we'd like to thank for their patience and support throughout the day.

"We had our busiest day ever!"

One shopper, who showed off a jumper she had purchased from the Age UK shop on West Street, said: "It's just so nice to be able to see people out and about again.

"We've been cooped up for so long, I think everyone needed to get out."

Manager of the shop, Sarah Porter, said: "It's been pretty manic, but it's been great. Everyone seems so happy to be out.

"It's great to be able to reopen, there's a real buzz around town.

"As a charity, we rely a lot on the shops being open so it's great for us that we can raise funds this way once again."

Marie Oldham, owner of Malabar Trading on South Street, said: "The energy has been so positive all day. Everyone is so upbeat and so happy to be out.

"It's been busy, but not chaotic, which is nice - a good steady pace and everyone has been really considerate and have been keeping to the rules and staying safe.

"It's been so great being able to catch up with all of our customers, everyone seems really happy that the shops have reopened."

Elsewhere, those living in care homes were able to see visitors for the first time this year.

A spokesman for the Harbour House care home at West Bay said: "We received our first visitors for a very, very long time and even finally had a delivery of newspapers! Exciting times but we remain very cautious."

Robert Mühl, president of the Bridport Business Chamber, said: “The sun has been out and our town is very busy. Our community is supporting the new era with everyone hopefully respecting the Covid guidelines.

"We wish our business community the very best and don’t forget we at the Bridport Business Chamber are here to support them as the challenges unfold.”