BUSINESSES across the town say they 'cannot wait' to reopen as lockdown restrictions are further loosened next week.

From Monday, May 17, pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers inside, cinemas, theatres and attractions will be able to open, people will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people and hotels and B&Bs can welcome guests once more.

Many of these businesses have been closed since the end of December - with venues able to open only in a limited capacity.

Soulshine restaurant on South Street was recently taken over by Andy Tyrell and Joel Gostling. Next week will be the first time they can welcome the public in since acquiring the venue.

Mr Tyrell said: “We’re very excited about being able to reopen. We’re ready to go and we're really looking forward to it.

"We've had the outside area open for the past month but it's nice for customers to be able to have the choice, there's been a lot of windy and rainy days lately.

“From what we’re hearing from our customers, people can't wait to being able to sit inside and enjoy a meal.

“Being able to sit at a table, comfortable and warm with someone looking after you – sitting somewhere other than your kitchen – is something people are really looking forward to.

The Ropemakers pub on West Street opted to remain closed through the period where pubs were permitted to open for outside service as it was too weather dependent. The pub will be welcoming customers back for a pint on Monday.

Landlady Geraldine Baker said: “We're looking forward to seeing our lovely customers again – people keep stopping me in the street to tell me they’re coming to visit us on Monday.

“Customers are really looking forward to coming back – a lot of people in Bridport are on their own and meeting their friends for a coffee or a pint is how they keep in touch.

“The vaccine rollout has been amazing; the team at the Bridport Medical Centre have done a fantastic job. So fingers crossed this is the last time we have to go through this and we can start to return to normality."

The Station Kitchen restaurant, located on the edge of the platform of the old West Bay Station, has been offering outside 'alfresco' style dining on the platform throughout the past month - but its owners are excited to be able to fully reopen.

Claire Moore, who owns the restaurant with her husband Ross, said: "We are so excited, we cannot wait. We have been inundated with bookings, I think we may even need to find another carriage.

"The diary is rapidly filling up for the entire summer, the team is all ready to go and we will be putting all the final touches in place this Sunday."

Attractions are also able to reopen with social distancing restrictions in place.

John West, lead trustee at West Bay Discovery Centre, said: "We are very much looking forward to being able to reopen fully. We’ve done a few outside events and now we’re looking forward to throwing open the doors and welcoming people back in.

“People have come up to us and told us how much they’re looking forward to coming back in again and our volunteers raring to go as well."

“We’ll be following restrictions closely and carefully and making sure it's safe. It’s great to be able to take the first step on the road to normality."