'It's been a mad week but it's great to have everyone back' - Wakefield pubs and hairdressers get ready for first big weekend of 2021

Customers flocked back to their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants, hairdressers and shops from Monday when restrictions were lifted.

It's been a manic week for those businesses that were able to reopen and they expect this weekend to be busier still.

Louise Waters, landlady at Harry's Bar off Westgate in Wakefield city centre, said: "Monday was bedlam - we hadn’t worked for five month the pub hadn’t worked for five months and the customers hadn’t been for five month - it was very busy.

"It’s been a decent steady week and we are fully booked for the weekend! It’s been pretty chilly on an evening but the customers have been wrapped up warm and blankets provided, the weather has definitely helped! Everyone has behaved impeccably and I think the staff and customers are just glad to be back!"

Antony de Csernatony, who owns Kraft Koffee and Barbers on Wood Street with wife Lisa, said: "It’s been very busy. The barbers is booked up for the first two weeks and the coffee shop is busy.

"The town is buzzing and it’s nice to see people sat outside at last! The sunshine has obviously helped - long May it continue."

Sam Carney, landlady at the Travellers Inn at Stanley, said: "It's been nery busy and really good. The regulations in place are hard but it's so we can come out of this."

Oliver Dean, who owns Oliver Dean Hair & Beauty on Wood Street, said: "We have been fully booked and are now in need of a hoilday! It's mental now into May and it's very nice seeing the street busy with people again.