Hugs and smiles as Sunderland businesses welcome customers back indoors
and live on Freeview channel 276
Indoor pints, trips to the pictures and hugs with loved ones are back as coronavirus measures are relaxed further on Monday (May 17) in line with the Government’s roadmap to lifting lockdown.
It follows April’s easing of the rules, which saw outdoor hospitality, hairdressers and non-essential retailers in the city welcome customers back for the first time this year.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhile many venues took advantage of last month’s relaxation, a substantial number did not – and pub bosses in Sunderland have told the Echo they expect it to be “buzzing”.
People in the city headed out for pints and cocktails, while others opted for coffee and breakfast – but almost no one missed the chance to give their loved ones a hug.
We’ve been speaking with business owners and customers in the city centre throughout the day – scroll down to catch up with our live coverage.
Live updates as Sunderland’s businesses reopen indoors
Key Events
- May 17 marks the third stage of Boris Johnson’s roadmap to easing lockdown
- Indoor hospitality, cinemas, art galleries and theatres are among the venues welcoming customers back today
- We are in Sunderland city centre bringing you the latest as more businesses reopen
‘A nice change’ as friends reunite for breakfast
Friends Janette Waugh, 59, a music teacher from Tunstall and Fiona Button, 57, who works for a garden centre from Barnes have been enjoying breakfast at the Keel Lounge in High Street West this morning.
Janette said: “It’s been nice eating inside and meeting people. We don’t normally come out for breakfast but it’s been a nice change. I expect there to be another lockdown because I think opening up is far too soon.
“We’ve had two babies in the family born in the pandemic so I’m being very wary, avoiding shops and crowds so I can still be in a bubble with my daughter. Hopefully things get better.”
Fiona added: “I’ve been fine throughout the pandemic as I work from home anyway but I think opening up the businesses needed to happen. It will really help smaller, independent businesses.”
Taking it ‘step by step' amid Indian variant concern
Restrictions are eased today as planned, but worries over the Indian variant of Covid-19 remain after Boris Johnson admitted during a Downing Street press conference on Friday (May 14) that the new coronavirus strain could put the roadmap out of lockdown under threat.
John Dickman, owner of Port of Call has said he is concerned about the variant, but excited to welcome customers back indoors.
He said: “I’m apprehensive but excited about today.
“I’m just waiting on what happens next, because I’m concerned about the Indian variant.
“I’m hoping 21st June changes still go ahead and we’re really looking forward to the summer.
“Business has been fantastic, really busy outside when we opened in April so hopefully that is replicated inside.
“I’m looking forward to the Sunderland games and the Euros coming up. We’ll take it step by step.”
Starting the day off with a hug
Today is the first day in over a year people are allowed to hug their loved ones - and swimmers at Seaburn beach this morning went in for a hug before dipping in the sea.
What happens next?
Today has brought us a step closer to the forth, final stage of lifting lockdown according to the Government’s road map.
June 21 is expected to bring an end to all remaining legal limits on social contact, as well as the reopening of nightclubs and the return of large events, such as festivals.
But the rise in cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 could mean step four is delayed.
During a Downing Street press conference on Friday, May 14, Boris Johnson said: “I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our road map and we will proceed with our plan to move to step three in England from Monday.
“But I have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four in June.”
“We’re so excited to get back open"
Dan Slater, General Manager at 808 Bar and Kitchen in St Thomas’ Street, said: “We’re so excited to get back open.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response, we’ve got a busy week ahead and are fully booked for the Friday and Saturday as well as the Bank Holiday Sunday.
He added: “We ran a successful take away service in lockdown and that really helped to keep us in people’s minds.”
Coffee shop welcomes very first sit in customers
It’s the first time CoffeeHaus in John Street has been able to operate for sit in after opening for the first time in the pandemic and being takeout only.
Owner Ashley Bell said: “We certainly anticipated to be able to open for sit in sooner, so we’ve been holding on and holding on for this.
“We’ll be adapting as time goes on but our main focus is making sure everyone who comes in feels safe and comfortable.
“For some people it’s the first time they’ve been able to come out in a year so it’s about guiding them and making them feel reassured and confident.”
“People are blown away by what we’ve done to the building.”
Spent Grain in John Street has opened its doors for the first time today and co-owner Michael Jameson is delighted with the response.
He said: “It’s been really well received. Since opening this morning we’ve had people in for coffees and lunches and it’s all been nice and relaxed.
“People are blown away by what we’ve done to the building. I think in this part of the city there’s a real foodie quarter developing.”
‘Great buzz’ in the city centre
Stewart Brass from the new Geek Retreat gaming cafe in Sunderland’s John Street said: “It’s been much busier than expected.
“We’ve had a great response to the cafe and we’ve had lots of families enjoying what we do and there’s a great buzz in the city centre.
“We’ve got a lot of events this week to mark opening for sit in, with characters out and about in the city and plenty more events coming up for people to look forward to in the future.”