'Long time coming' as hoteliers finally able to welcome back guests and wedding parties today

Hotels and venues will be able to operate all their normal services again, with weekend breaks, spa stays and weddings all back on the cards.

In Mellor, Stanley House Hotel and Spa said that they are already busy for the first few weeks, with people excited to get closer to being back to normal again.

General manager, Simon Tauber, said: "It is fantastic! It has been a long time coming.

Stanley House Hotel and Spa. Photo credit: Stanley House hotel and spa / Facebook

"We have been waiting for it; doing a lot of planning and it's fortunate that we have weddings pretty much straight away in the week we re-open.

"From the first announcement we had a good amount of bookings come in and then from Monday we had another surge.

"We are expecting an upsurge again if the announcement comes for June 21 with people looking to book bigger events."

General manager of Stanley House, Simon Tauber

The hotel, which has a spa and restaurant, as well as function area for weddings and events, can host all of its services under a number of restrictions.

Restrictions are set on wedding receptions, with a guest list that must not exceed 30 and table service only.

Wedding guests must also wear masks if they stand up from their table, like they would have to in a restaurant.

Stanley House will host their first wedding on May 21, a relief for Simon and his staff as they are able to finally get back to work.

He added: "It's great for the couples who have changed the dates several times and now they can finally get married.

"That's what it's all about, giving them their dream day which we are excited to do.

"For our staff, it's great to know they are back at work which is what they love to do - whether they are a spa therapist, a waitress a chef - they are just delighted to do what they want to do."

Restrictions in the restaurant area will see customers wearing masks until they are seated and only table service allowed.

In Padiham, the Lawrence Hotel will also be welcoming guests back inside for relaxing breaks.

Hotel owner Michael Huckerby said that he and his staff are eager to get back to work again.

He said: "We have been cautiously optimistic that this date would go ahead but we are relieved we can get back to doing what we love.

"We have been operating outside but due to the weather it has been difficult.

The Lawrence Hotel in Padiham. Owner Michael Huckerby

"We can't wait to get back to doing small weddings and welcoming people inside."

The hotel did manage to host one wedding in October of last year, but other than this they have not seen an 'I do' since last March.

Michael is excited to host a wedding again on May 30 as they welcome their first wedding party back.

He continued: "We still have a little bit of room but we are very busy - the restaurant is filling up nicely as well.

A wedding set up in the Lawrence Hotel, Padiham. Photo credit: The Lawrence Hotel / Facebook

"I think people are still quite cautious and we are holding our breath for the June 21 announcement for bigger events."

As well as hotels, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen indoors and people will be allowed to mix indoors as two households or under the rule of six.

Exercise classes can resume indoors if socially distanced and indoor entertainment, such as soft play and cinemas can also welcome customers back.

People will also have the choice whether they keep social distancing with close family and friends they meet up with.