WREXHAM residents have enjoyed the small doses of normality that have returned with indoor hospitality.

This week saw cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues across Wales given the green light to open their doors and welcome customers back indoors for the first time this year.

Like many counties, Wrexham took full advantage of returning to their local favourites.

Some hospitality venues have been fortunate enough to use outdoor areas in recent weeks and take advantage of the few glimpses of sun – but with the unpredictable Welsh weather the option of dining inside is welcome news all round!

Manager for the Fat Boar in Wrexham, Craig Pritchard, told the Leader how the restaurant was fully booked both outdoors and indoors, adding that it was great to see the venue looking more 'normal' again.

He said: "We've been helped today [Tuesday] by the big Wrexham game, the downstairs and patio area are fully booked for those coming to enjoy the football. We have the upper restaurant area for those wanting just food and drink.

"Its been really good welcoming people back. Its how it should be."

The Leader: Mada and Craig Babiaa served drinks by manager Craig Pritchard at the Fat Boar in Wrexham.

ABOVE: Mada and Craig Babiaa are served drinks by manager Craig Pritchard at the Fat Boar in Wrexham.

Another venue that looked forward to welcoming back football fans was the Turf Hotel, on Mold Road.

Landlord Wayne Jones has his pub, just outside the Racecourse, fully booked with fans eager to cheer on the Reds as they take on Notts County.

He told the Leader how it has been great to have people back indoors again as of Monday and hopes people can enjoy a big win to make the return even sweeter.

People weren't just enjoy local pubs this lunchtime, as lots of local cafes take advantage of the fact they can open indoors now for the first time in 2021.

Brothers Phil and Andy Gallanders run Bank Street Social and said they're glad to see things slowly returning to normal.

Phil explained that the Bank Street team were fortunate enough to be able to manage as a takeaway venue during lockdown when businesses were restricted - but acknowledges how the latest rule change signals normality isn't far away.

Just down the road, on Lord Street, Maria Mendas welcomed the Leader into Vasco Da Gama where traditional Portuguese dishes are on the menu.

She explained how the business has been seeing less customers through the door since last lockdown and hopes trade will pick up soon once people feel more comfortable coming out again and the weather picks up.

The Leader:

Adults weren't the only ones to benefit from the latest lockdown changes!

Youngsters are now able to enjoy letting off some steam at play areas which were given the green light to reopen their doors.

Banana Ben’s, on Central Retail Park, is an independent soft play centre in Wrexham that has been open since 2019.

Manager Sue told the Leader how the facility has been opened and closed - like many businesses - throughout the lockdown but says that it was lovely to be able to welcome children back as seeing smiles on faces again.

Indoor attractions have also been given the thumbs up to allow guests back in - with Xplore! in Wrexham town centre wanting people to know they're ready to welcome people back for fun-filled days out again.

Based in the former TG Hughes unit on Henblas Street, guests can visit the centre and enjoy various science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) activities.

Katie Williams, business development and stakeholder engagement officer at Xplore!, told the Leader how they're also looking forward to being able to host live science shows in their theatre soon now that this has been permitted under the Welsh Government rules.

The Leader:

Katie shows off what Xplore! has to offer for families looking for days out in Wrexham.

Ministers are continuing to relax national restrictions in Wales by entering Alert Level 2 due to decreasing levels of the coronavirus.

Here in North Wales, the latest figures indicate that the virus is largely suppressed across the region as people appear to be following the basic rules we have all become accustom to over the last year.

What changes have come into play across Wales since Monday, May 17?

  • All holiday accommodation, as well as Indoor visitor attractions, including museums and galleries, can reopen. This marks the full reopening of Wales’ tourism industry.
  • Cinemas, theatres concert halls and sports grounds can sell food and drink as long as it is consumed in a seated area for watching the performance.
  • Entertainment venues, including cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor-play centres and areas, casinos, amusement arcades, and theatres can reopen.
  • Indoor hospitality has reopened - with six people from up to six households, not including children under 11, able to book a table.
  • Up to 30 people can take part in organised indoor activities and up to 50 people in organised outdoor activities. This includes wedding receptions and wakes.

International travel will resume with a traffic light system aligned with England and Scotland.

People living in Wales will be able to travel to a small number of foreign destinations without the need to quarantine on their return. Mandatory quarantine for countries not on the green list remains in place.

What's next for Wales?

More relaxations are planned for three weeks’ time on Monday, June 7.

These are more tailored towards social situations rather than businesses reopening.

If the virus remains suppressed, Wales will be introducing the following changes to the rules:

  • Rule of six for indoor visits in private homes allowed.
  • Up to 30 people can meet outdoors with social distancing measures in place.
  • Up to three households can form an extended household / bubble.
  • Organised activities for up to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors – including wedding receptions and wakes.