Mary Foy, Agustina Ledda and Constance Parpoil go back to the boozer

Punters flocked to their favourite pubs on the first day that it was legal to buy a draught pint at a bar for four months, as the coronavirus lockdown rules were softened on Monday.

Friends who had not seen each other since before Christmas finally came together with scores of benches placed outside venues across the borough.

The rules state customers must eat and drink outside, meaning pubs without outdoor space have had to stay closed until next month.

Mary Foy, Agustina Ledda and Constance Parpoil were among those. returning to The Three Johns pub in Angel.

“We booked a table six weeks ago,” said Ms Parpoil. “This used to be our local, we used to come here all the time. It’s great to come and see it’s still here and hasn’t closed, almost like nothing has happened. Except we’re out in the cold.”

Also getting the drinks in at the pub in White Lion Street were Kaine Piere and Amelie Plum.

Mr Piere said: “I’m very happy to be sitting here with a pint. We
haven’t seen each other for a year. I can’t believe it’s been so long.”
Across the road at The Alma pub, folk singer Billy Steven said he was savouring the chance to order a pint of Guinness.

“We haven’t been going anywhere for the last year or so,” he said.

“It’s good to be back here but it will be better when we can go inside.

I’m an old man, 78 years old, and we’re freezing out here.”

Mr Hulme said: “I’ve talked about this for most of the day. I’m from Birmingham and he’s from Leicester and we’ve been staying in a hotel working down here and it’s been like a prison sentence just going to work and back to the hotel.

“So it’s good that we’re opening back up. It’s good for our health and good for the economy.”

Meanwhile, Rachel Paul and Martina Rejec were drinking Porn Star cocktails in The Chapel Bar in Penton Street.

It’s time for cocktails for Rachel Paul and Martina Rejec

Asked how they felt about being allowed back into a bar, Ms Rejec said: “Just one word, freedom.”

Publicans were also thrilled to welcome  back some customers after the financial devastation of lockdown.

Fatima Rivas manager of the Highbury Barn said: “We are very, very happy to be open. The past year has been challenging as a manager trying to retain the staff.

“I was very nervous before reopening – not knowing if it would be busy, or if people would even have the money to spend in pubs.

“But we were busy right from when we opened at 12 o’clock and I’m am not nervous anymore.

“We even had customers wearing T-shirts saying ‘back to the pub’.
Everyone is happy.”

Mick Gray at the Woodbine

Mick Gray, manager of the Woodbine Pub in Blackstock Road, said: “It’s been really tough on everybody. We have a lovely local community here so we have been extremely lucky to have loyal people come back for a pint.

“The government rules have been extremely heavy on pubs – what with having to close, spend money on re-opening and suddenly close again.

“It’s a place people can meet other people and coming in for a little
pint with friends can be good for your mental health.

“It’s good a good feeling being able to open again.”

Kimberley Daal, co-owner of the Foxglove in Liverpool Road, said: “We’ve got people in the beer garden out the back and some on the benches in the front, so it’s looking good.

“It will be better when we can get people sitting down inside, but it’s a good start.”

Pubs, bars and restaurants have been allowed to serve people in groups of up to six or two households of any number outside since Monday.

Billy Steven grabs a Guinness

The rules state that customers must eat and drink while seated at a
table and every customer aged 16 and over should check in to the NHS test and trace app or give contact details to staff.

If virus rates do not dramatically  increase, from May 17 venues will be allowed to have people sitting indoors in groups of up to six people, or two households of any size, with groups of up to 30 permitted for outdoor drinking.

As part of its roadmap, the government has earmarked June 21 as the final date where all restrictions may be lifted and clubs will be
allowed to reopen.