Beauty salons and attractions booked up across Black Country and Staffordshire as customers allowed in again

And among those relieved to be back in the Black Country and Staffordshire are business owners and staff from non-essential retail and from the hospitality and leisure sectors – who have been desperate to get back to work.

Stacey Wainwright, owner of Creative Beauty Boutique on Blackhalve Lane, in Wolverhampton, is looking forward to seeing her clients for the first time this year.

She said: “My diary was fully booked in January and February, so I have had to prioritise those customers before getting new clients booked in. It’s really good to be busy again.

“The customers have been waiting a long time for this, some of them have been coming for years and they have been so loyal throughout the pandemic, we are so grateful to have this customer base.”

And like many business owners, Stacey is hoping that this will be the last time she will have to close her salon due to Covid-19.

She added: “I specialise in close contact services on the face, so I thought we would be delayed for reopening. We are really excited, but there is always the worry that we could shut down again due to the pandemic.

"We have a lot of plans for the business to progress and take it to the next level, but we can’t make those plans happen yet as we don’t know how long we will be open for. After being off for three and a half months I am a little nervous. It will be a challenge but I am eager to get back into the swing of things.”

And among those also celebrating are workers from the pubs and hospitality sector, who have been desperate to get back to work.

Angus McMeeking, from Black Country Ales in Kingswinford, said: “We are delighted to have a chance to trade again, albeit only outside until May, but we’re hugely looking forward to it and our licensees and customers are too.

“We’ve invested very heavily in gazebos and heaters and worked hard to make the spaces the best they can be.

“With a bit of luck we will have an early summer as good as last year but we should be able to keep people warm and dry and we’ve got lots of great beer for them.”

Jo Selman, landlord at the Lych Gate Tavern, in Wolverhampton, added: “The excitement levels are through the roof and I think today is going to be a very busy day.

“The amount of people that are enquiring and saying that they can’t wait and people that are walking past people when we’ve been cleaning everything outside or while we’ve had deliveries, people have been saying they can’t wait for us to open. I’m not anxious at all about reopening, I’m just excited to get going.”

Meanwhile Lichfield Golf & Country Club announced it would open its doors – with its gym and pool facilities opening up today following the return of golfers on March 29.

Richard Calvert, chief executive officer of The Club Company which runs the Lichfield site, said: “The team is so motivated to welcome our members back into our clubs. Health and wellness is now part and parcel of life, and greeting our members in a safe, caring and energised environment feels just great.”

Meanwhile attractions such as Dudley Zoo, Go Ape Cannock and Alton Towers were back open and expecting large but socially distanced crowds with many schools still off for the Easter holidays.

But while the general public has been urged to visit their local shops and high street, there is still a clear public health message, from politicians, the police and health officials, that people should abide by Covid rules, to help prevent a rise in infection rates.

Sandwell Council, which has battled some of the highest infection rates in the country, has asked to vote with their feet and avoid businesses not following Covid-19 guidance.

Sandwell’s director of public health, Lisa McNally said: “Our message is that if a shop, pub or restaurant isn’t keeping you safe – don’t go there.

“If you are in a shop where people aren’t wearing face coverings – leave and shop somewhere else.

“If you are visiting an outside area of a pub or restaurant where people are not social distancing and your details haven’t been taken in case of an outbreak, go and drink or eat elsewhere.”

The police has asked shoppers to be vigilant about businesses where Covid guidelines are not being enforced.

Firms who do not comply with the latest Government rules, set to allow businesses to reopen during the pandemic, have been warned they could be fined.

Wolverhampton police superintendent, Simon Inglis, said: “Our ask is that people clearly follow that guidance and follow the instructions in order to enjoy the further freedoms.”