NEWS that much of the hospitality sector will be able to re-open from this Saturday (July 4) has been welcomed in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge.

In an announcement on Tuesday (June 23), Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that pubs and restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, caravan sites and hairdressers will all be allowed to re-open.

The same goes for libraries, playgrounds, museums, galleries, theme parks, social clubs and community centres.

However nightclubs, spas, indoor soft play areas, bowling alleys, water parks, indoor gyms, nail bars, swimming pools and water parks will have to stay closed for now.

In Burnham-on-Sea Paul Hale, manager of The Ritz Social Club, said he feels optimistic about business reopening.

“We are feeling excited and optimistic about the prospect of reopening,” Paul said.

“We have amended some of our opening hours and initially the social club will only be open for members.

“We have screens up at our bars and we will be able to serve drinks from our three bars.

“We will be open from noon until 11pm each day and we will ensure that everyone in the building abides by the 1 metre plus social distancing rules.”

Holiday parks are also amont the businesses which are getting ready to reopen on Saturday.

Scott Miles, assistant manager at Retreat Caravan Park in Burnham, said the park is implementing a number of measures to keep holidaymakers safe including closing the site’s toilet block, laundry room and information room and

“We are delighted to be re-opening and welcome all of our owners back on site,” Scott said.

“We have put extensive measure in place to ensure the safety of our owners and the local community.

“These include: A “Drive Thru” system on the side office window is in place with social distancing markers laid on the floor.

“Before you come down, we encourage you to purchase your groceries from your local supermarket to help reduce potential overcrowding of supermarkets in the Burnham area

“Before you leave your holiday home please wash your hands thoroughly and social distance from others at a safe 2 metres

“The Beach Gate will be left opened and in use from 9am – 4pm in order to reduce touch points on park.

“If a member of staff is required to work on your pitch, please remain in your caravan until they have finished completing the job

“Some bin compounds will be closed to reduce contact points all open bin compounds will have hand sanitiser attached that is to be used before touching the lids.

“A one-way pedestrian system between Car Park A to Middle Valley, Middle Valley to Beach Walk and Car Park B to Lilac Grove will be implemented with clear signage on which way to approach from for your safety.

“There is strictly to be no parking on the grass as this will inhibit people’s ability to social distance

“The play area will be open for use, the equipment will be disinfected twice daily, we ask to sanitise hands before entry

“If any of the rules above are broken a yellow and red card system will be implemented with the latter meaning you will be asked to leave park.”

Haven Holiday Park in Burnham-on-Sea will also be reopening to guests on July 6.

A spokesperson for Haven, said: "With the Coronavirus pandemic seeing the closure of Haven’s parks to holidaymakers since March 20, we welcomed the easing of the Government lockdown and news that we can reopen in July. Haven parks in England will reopen on Monday 6 July to holidaymakers.

"Since we closed our parks in March, to adhere with Government guidelines, we have been working on a range of measures to ensure that guests feel safe and secure when they come on holiday.

"Our new Clean and Safe Charter has been designed to help our guests feel safe on holiday, providing a revised and contactless check in process, increased cleaning teams on park, enhanced accommodation cleaning standards, new wayfinding signage across the parks, ordering and collection of takeaway food and drink and finally underpinning all of this will be our Haven caravan cleanliness guarantee.

"We have already cancelled thousands of breaks during the Coronavirus and we know that there are plenty of families across the country who are keen to be able to holiday on the Great British coast.

"We can provide the assurances that the safety and security of our guests is our number one priority and look forward to welcoming holidaymakers back to our parks in July."