PUBS and restaurants around Radnorshire have been celebrating being able to open to customers for the first time in nearly five months.

As Covid-19 restrictions eased further on Monday, it allowed for the hospitality sector – one of the hardest hit during the pandemic – to welcome back customers for the first time since the UK entered a third lockdown in early December.

It may not quite be a full return to normality as pubs, restaurants and cafes are only allowed to open outdoors – indoor hospitality can resume from May 17 – but it’s still a cause for celebration for many businesses in Wales.

And plenty in Radnorshire have been celebrating today, opening back up to customers on a glorious spring day – which they’ll hope is a good omen as they look to return to profitability over the course of 2021.

The Severn Arms posted a picture of their beer garden bathed in sunshine on Facebook on Monday morning ahead of welcoming customers back, the Penybont pub posting: “Look who's excited to see you all again! It's a beautiful day for our reopening so come on down for a well-deserved drink (or two).”

Penbont House, a bed and breakfast with tea rooms, nestled in the heart of the stunning Elan Valley, just outside Rhayader, posted ahead of the big day: “Ready! See you tomorrow 10-6pm.”

Just down the road in Rhayader town centre, the Lamb & Flag Inn had enjoyed a busy morning, initially posting pictures of fried breakfasts leaving the kitchen around 9am.

On Sunday night they’d posted: “Well it’s been a long few weeks, all exterior painted, new marquee, benches refurbed, planters filled.

“Looking forward to welcoming our customers tomorrow and ready for a busy few weeks, bookings are already flying in. Message us on here to book to avoid disappointment.”

Across town at the Eagles Inn, they were grateful for the assistance of people who’d helped the pub get their beer garden ready for Monday.

“The Eagles Inn will be open Monday the 26th April 12pm till 9pm and Bank holiday 12pm till 11pm. We just wanted to say a big thank you to Gwyn Davies for everything and thank you too Darryl Curtis for all the lighting and everything you have done for us.”

Over in Llandrindod Wells, the Llanerch Inn is another pub blessed with a beautiful beer garden. “We are so excited to see you all again today and be back open,” they posted.

“The sun is shining and we have plenty of beer in. We are fully booked tonight but if you would like to book a table for any other day this week please give us a ring.”

Presteigne boozer the Royal Oak posted: “We're looking forward to reopening our doors again today. Open from midday,” together with a graphic quoting the late 1990s anthem ‘Tubthumping’ by Chumbawamba, saying: “We get locked down, but we get up again.”

Over in Knighton, the Horse and Jockey Inn posted: “It's a lovely day for it, we are open now for drinks in the courtyard,” while the Radnorshire Arms Hotel were another pub boasting great views from their beer garden, posting: “It's a beautiful day to open.”