High Peak pubs, restaurants and hotels getting ready to welcome customers back indoors

May 17 is the next step in the government’s road map out of lockdown and for those businesses without outdoor dining space or self contained apartments it will be the first time people will be allowed to dine inside or stay over night since October.

For Dave Knowles at Baileys restaurant, on Market Street, Whaley Bridge, the closure has been a chance to reflect and grow.

He said: “The last year has taught us that we can’t stay still - we have to adapt and change.

"We were offering a British menu before the first lockdown but then we needed to find a way to survive so we started offering deliveries and changed our menu to incorporate burgers and Mexican food which we will be keeping when we reopen.”

He has also taken advantage of the government’s new kickstarter scheme, which helps young people facing the dangers of long term unemployment, and has taken on two kitchen staff and two front of house staff.

The scheme provides funding to create new jobs for six months to give people paid experience but Dave said it is already going so well he has offered a full time job to one of his kitchen workers.

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Jan Allcock who owns Rushop Hall near Castleton has been able to open the self contained cottages and shepherd’s hut since April but is looking forward to welcoming B&B guests back.

She said: “I’m a bit nervous, it’s like starting afresh but I’m really looking forward it.

"We have 40 acres here so we are used to the quiet but it’s never been this quiet before.

"On Monday we are welcoming a group of horse riders and by the weekend the B&B is fully booked again which is great.”

Stella Walters who owns micro pub The Old Cell Ale Bar in Chapel-en-le-Frith, which has been shut for six months, is ready to welcome customers back.

She said: “I’ve missed the chats and the people.

"This is somewhere people come to meet friends. You can get beer cheaper at the supermarket but it doesn’t come with a catch up and I think everyone is ready for that now.”

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Rushop Hall takes bookings through eviivo, an online booking specialist used by independent hosts, B&Bs, cottages, vacation rentals and apartments globally.