Tourism-based businesses in Keswick and the North Lakes can finally look forward to welcoming back visitors after prime minister Boris Johnson today lifted more lockdown restrictions, allowing hotels, pubs and restaurants to re-open from Saturday 4th July.
The announcement, which also includes reducing social distancing from two metres to one metre, was immediately welcomed by Vanessa Metcalfe, of Keswick Tourism Association, which represents more than 300 local businesses.
“Keswick Tourism Association is absolutely delighted by today’s announcement by the prime minister,” said Vanessa, KTA’s tourism manager. She added: “Obviously, we are awaiting the full guidance to give further clarity and to allow businesses to put Covid-secure measures in place ready to re-open on 4th July.
“It has been wonderful to see day visitors back in the town following the re-opening of retail businesses and the Keswick market. We are now, along with member businesses who are keen to re-open, looking forward to also welcoming visitors back to Keswick for overnight stays, to eat out, take part in outdoor activities and to visit our attractions.”
KTA, which promotes Keswick and the surrounding valleys and villages, includes accommodation providers, retailers, restaurateurs, activity providers and visitor attraction operators among its trade members. After being forced to remain closed for the last three months, they are now set to reopen from Saturday 4th July following the Government’s announcement.
Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen, providing they follow safety guidelines, including all hospitality indoors being limited to table service. Holiday accommodation including hotels, B&Bs, cottages, campsites and caravan parks – can also reopen as people in England will be free to stay away from home overnight for the first time since lockdown began in March.
Outdoor gyms and children’s playgrounds, like the ones in Fitz Park, Keswick, can also reopen if safe to do so. So can libraries, community centres, cinemas, museums and galleries along with hairdressers if they take precautions. However, other close-contact services such as nail bars will not yet open and neither will nightclubs, indoor gyms, swimming pools, spas and indoor soft play centres.
Places of worship will be able to open for prayers and services, including weddings with up to 30 guests – subject to social distancing. Theatres will not be able to host live performances, although the Theatre by the Lake is Keswick has already announced that it will not reopen until next year.
Away from business, two households of any size will be able to meet indoors or outside and iIt will be possible to stay overnight. However, the Government is not recommending meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of infection. The reopening of Keswick’s proliferation of pubs, restaurants and cafes will also come as a huge relief to local residents who have also been frustrated by the enforced closures.
