'Cheers - we are so glad you are open' - pubs reopen in Skegness

As more Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. pubs can only operate if they have outside space - and the new management at the Welcome Inn have really gone to town to tempt punters off their settees and out socialising again.

Covered wooden party pods are also being built around a new outdoor stage, with entertainers already lined up for the first weekend.

There has also been a massive interest in the igloo, which will be opened in the next stage of restrictions being lifted as it is enclosed.

First customers who were there for the opening were Lisa Garrad and Lorna Smith of Skegness accompanied by their dogs Timmy and Teddybear.

"We are so pleased to be back and able to socialise again," said Lisa. "I think it's great what they have done with the pods - I think they are going to have a busy summer."

The Welcome Inn's new landlord and landlady are Nidge and Lisa Conroy, who are running the business with the help of their two daughters, Tia and Jade.

No newcomers to the hospitality trade, Nidge used to run the Royal Oak pub at Winthorpe, had a lap dance club on the seafront and has the Tipsey Cow on Lumley Road.

They took over the Welcome Inn in Burgh Road a week before the second lockdown and had just three months of trade before pubs were shut down again.

Since then they have been busy preparing to re-open and make the most of their outside space to accommodate up to 500 people.

The total investment is £100,000 with adapting the outside with its stage, igloos, holding 6-8 people, and other outside tables costing a big chunk of that.

"We've really been looking forward to opening and hope people like what we've done," said Nidge. "We've run businesses abroad before this and are hoping to bring a taste of Spain to Skegness."