A LOCAL cafe is rejoicing after it reopened its doors to customers for picnic takeaways this morning after a long winter without trading through lockdown.

Queen's Park Cafe in Bolton opened for the first time this year as the stay-at-home order ended today.

Friends and families were reunited as groups of up to six, or two households, were allowed to socialise in parks and gardens after months of strict lockdown rules.

It comes as official figures showed more than 30 million people in the UK have received a first vaccine dose, accounting for about 57 per cent of all adults.

The Picnic in the Park range includes sticky cocktail sausages and bruschetta

The 'Picnic in the Park' range includes sticky cocktail sausages and bruschetta

Alongside fresh branding and logos, the business is celebrating the start of spring with new menus and new beginnings - with the introduction of 'Picnic in the park'.

Queen's Park Cafe marketing manager Amy Campbell said: "It's an amazing time after being closed for so long.

"The whole team are really excited and we have given the cafe a bit of a spruce up."

The cafe, which employs around 10 people, was thrilled to welcome loyal customers back with open arms.

Staff aim to provide a new picnic experience, serving a mix of hot and cold food that you 'wouldn't be able to bring from home'.

Amy added: "We've taken inspiration from side dishes, small plates and tapas-style food like bruschetta, crispy calamari and sticky cocktail sausages.

"We've had some great feedback on our first day. It's been great to hear that our regular customers have missed us because we have missed them too."

The Picnic in the Park range includes sticky cocktail sausages and bruschetta

The 'Picnic in the Park' range includes sticky cocktail sausages and bruschetta

Although today saw the easing of rules under the government's roadmap out of lockdown, health bosses are warning people that it is still essential to follow the rules.

Bolton Council's director of public health, Dr Helen Lowey, said: "This gradual approach to easing lockdown is essential in helping us get back to normal without putting people at risk.

"I want to thank everyone for all they have done to limit the spread of Covid-19 and urge them to keep up this good work.

"We should all keep journeys to a minimum, stay local as much as possible and continue to work from home if we can."

Further steps are planned in April and May with an eventual aim of lifting all restrictions no sooner than June 21, providing certain criteria are met.

A Public Health England spokesperson added: "Evidence shows that meeting outdoors is safer than meeting indoors, as you are much less likely to pass on or catch coronavirus in the open air, particularly if you are also adhering to social distancing, and limiting the number of people you meet in line with the guidance.

"It is also important to remember that while the requirement to stay at home has also been lifted, the advice is to minimise travel but if you do need to travel, to plan your trip carefully, wash your hands often, social distance and wear a mask in all applicable settings.

"Overnight stays outside of your own home are still not permitted including over Easter weekend, when we know people will be making plans to meet up outdoors.

"While the number of people with coronavirus is reducing, and the number of people who have received their vaccination is increasing every day, it is still vitally important that we take these protective actions as we see restrictions slowly lifting."