Basingstoke reacts to restrictions easing as indoor restaurants, pubs and leisure facilities open

Basingstoke residents are now able to meet up outdoors in groups of 30, and indoors in groups of up to six (or two households), while restaurants, cafes and pubs are now able to serve indoors.

Furthermore, remaining indoor leisure facilities including cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, and museums have been able to reopen too, while bus services have been permitted to increase their capacity on board.

In a day mixed weather, with torrential rain followed by glorious sunshine, the Gazette spokes to shoppers in Basingstoke’s town centre, to get their views on lockdown easing.

Christopher Quincey, 61, from Farnborough wass doing some shopping with his daughter Maryanne, 22, before his second vaccine at Superdrug.

Christopher Quincey was off to get his second Covid jab, accompanied by daughter Maryanne, 22

On restrictions easing, he said it won’t effect him that much. He added that he will likely keep getting takeaways as it's “convenient”, but is looking forward to a trip to the cinema at some point.

“I’m waiting for the new Bond film, that’s about it!” he said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Burns, 53, from Chineham was enjoying a coffee and newspaper in Starbucks after a visit to the gym.

Chineham resident Stephen Burns enjoys his post-gym coffee as he waits to visit his mum in her care home

“Before, I was making my own, or I had to sit outside and get wet!” he said.

He is waiting for his appointment to visit his mum in her care home. He is hoping he will be able to give her a hug, but isn’t sure yet.

“The past few times I’ve seen her I have been sat behind a plastic screen, but it is what it is,” he said.

BCoT students Phoebe Burne and Jodie Bond were enjoying some shopping time before college, where they both study an Access to Nursing course.

BCoT students Phoebe Burne and Jodie Bond are looking forward to family visits and meals indoors

“I’m looking forward to seeing family in Bournemouth, we’ve been a bit scared to go till now,” said Phoebe.

The girls have also booked a meal indoors together next week at Pizza Hut.

And for firm friends of more than 50 years, Carolyn Neale and Sylvia Caton, today was their first catch up in six months.

Carolyn Neale and Sylvia Caton, both 67, enjoy their first catch up in six months

The 67-year-old ladies met when they both attended Robert May’s School in Odiham, and were enjoying a coffee and chat at Costa this afternoon.

“It’s been rather cold this Spring, so it makes it easier for people now they can meet indoors,” said Carolyn, from Kempshott.

“It feels very good. It’s nice and safe. What is lovely is that, as a town, everybody seems to have been very responsible.”

Carolyn added that meeting up with family, including her two sons and her grandson, is high on her agenda.

Sylvia, who travelled into town from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, added: “There is never going to be a normal again, but we are hoping to get abcl to the Haymarket soon as well, as we both love the theatre.

“We are incredibly spoilt, but it’s been funny seeing what we have been hankering for after the lockdowns.”