Record holiday bookings have been taken in Keswick this week as the North Lakes finally starts looking forward to emerging stage by stage from lockdown.
Some self-catering bookings rose by more than 500 per cent following Monday’s long-awaited government announcement about how restrictions are to be lifted.
But the town’s tourism leader says it will not make up for the “huge blow” of the loss of a second successive Easter as most restrictions will remain in place for the double bank holiday on April 2-5.
And the changes will also come too late to save this year’s Words By The Water literary festival in April as its main venue – the Theatre by the Lake – cannot open until May.
Vanessa Metcalfe, Keswick Tourism Association manager, said: “The roadmap is a really positive step forward and having provisional dates means businesses are better able to plan.
The loss of a second Easter is a huge blow and it is clear that ongoing financial support will be needed to help businesses get back on their feet.
But she said there had been a positive response from visitors, with booking enquiries starting immediately after the Prime Minister’s announcement.
She added: “We know from emails and comments on social media that people are desperate to get back to Keswick and we are looking forward to welcoming them.”
The post-lockdown schedule starts on March 8 with the return of all pupils to schools.
On March 29, up to six people or two full households can meet outdoors, and outdoor sport like football, rugby, cricket and golf can return.
Self-catering accommodation can welcome back guests from April 12.
Also on April 12, hairdressers and non-essential shops can open their doors. Hairdresser Sharon Thompson is one of four self-employed hairdressers at Jingles on Standish Street.
She said: “As soon as the opening date was announced my phone started pinging with my regular customers. It was lovely to hear from them, and good to feel wanted. I think we are all very busy the first few weeks.”
A provisional date of May 17 has been set for theatre and cinema reopening, with indoor performances subject to limits.
By then, Theatre by the Lake will have been shut for more than a year.
A spokesman said: “We will be carefully considering our plans in relation to the recent guidance and will update our community and audiences in the near future.”
Carol Rennie, of Keswick’s Alhambra cinema, said: “We are glad for some clarity on when we can open but it is still a long way off. In the meantime we are considering all options to increase the sustainability and viability of the cinema.”
Restaurants and pubs with beer gardens will be able to welcome customers from April 12, as will non-essential shops, but it will be May 17 before customers can drink indoors.
Words by the Water Festival had provisional dates of April 22 to April 25 and had hoped to put on a truncated festival but managing director Leah Varnell said: “We are going to release a sound archive of talks from the past 20 years of Words by the Water over the advertised dates and free to access.
“We are calling the festival Words by the Water: Replay. We will be back next year to celebrate 21 years of Words by the Water in grand style.”
