Will and Colin Keatley from the Fat Cat.
- Credit: Jess Coppins
Friends and family across Norfolk are enjoying the joy of hugging once again.
The latest easing of restrictions that came into effect on May 17 has seen the resumption of indoor hospitality, household visits and for some hugging their nearest and dearest for the first time in a year.
Gemma Gladwell took the opportunity to hug her colleague Hannah Foster
- Credit: Jess Coppins
Gemma Gladwell, owner of Cherry Leaf Coffee House, in St Giles Street, Norwich, took the opportunity to hug her colleague Hannah Foster as they welcomed back their customers indoors.
Will and Colin Keatley from the Fat Cat.
- Credit: Jess Coppins
Friends and family across Norfolk are enjoying the joy of hugging once again.
The latest easing of restrictions that came into effect on May 17 has seen the resumption of indoor hospitality, household visits and for some hugging their nearest and dearest for the first time in a year.
Gemma Gladwell took the opportunity to hug her colleague Hannah Foster
- Credit: Jess Coppins
Gemma Gladwell, owner of Cherry Leaf Coffee House, in St Giles Street, Norwich, took the opportunity to hug her colleague Hannah Foster as they welcomed back their customers indoors.
Published:
7:40 PM May 17, 2021
Updated:
8:20 PM May 17, 2021
Reporters Clarissa Place (left), Sarah Burgess and Dave Hannant enjoying a session at The Games Table along Norwich Lanes
- Credit: Jess Coppins
At last, the arrival of May 17 and the easing of government restrictions has allowed long-forgotten freedoms to be enjoyed once again.
Sarah Burgess headed out to experience five activities which had been forbidden.
Pint at The Fat Cat pub, West End Street, Norwich
The day started at the Fat Cat brewery, where I bought myself a pint of their home-brewed real ale, the Tom Cat.
Despite having sat outdoors at pubs since the last round of re-openings, it was refreshing and nostalgic to actually sit inside one - and even better to be able to smell the wood furniture and look around at the quirky decor.
Downing Street refused to be drawn on weekend reports suggesting that restrictions on meeting friends in a park could be among the first to be lifted once schools are back. Whilst there is some reason for cautious optimism, we remain in a difficult situation, with the pressures on the NHS still very significant. We have to go at the pace that the latest data and evidence allows, one source said. Our biggest priority remains schools, and we will set out our plan for reopening them, and gradually reopening our economy and society on February 22.
Hairdressers are among the non-essential businesses hoping to hear when they can reopen.
Published:
2:29 PM January 8, 2021
Updated:
2:53 PM January 8, 2021
Fat Cat owner Colin Keatley has been delivering beers after the government said pubs were not allowed to offer collection or takeaways.
- Credit: Fat Cat pub
Pubs in Norwich unable to provide takeaway beer in lockdown are taking to the road and going mobile.
In previous lockdowns, pubs have been able to sell beer to customers through takeaways and collections, but this time have been limited to delivery only.
But it had stood firm on the change in rules this time around, with pubs having to pivot and adapt to deliveries to both stay afloat and make sure surplus stock does not go to waste.