THE owners of a 16th century coaching inn say they cannot wait for it to become the 'beating heart' of a North Yorkshire village again, following the Prime Minister's confirmation that the lockdown is to ease next Monday.

Chris Hannon, the managing director of Coastal & Country Inns, the owners of The Crown, in Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, says it is ready to welcome old friends and new for drinks and meals outside -whilst weddings have already been booked for the summer.

“We are absolutely delighted to be so close to opening again," he said. "This has been a devastating year for so many people and we are fervently hoping that the easing of lockdown next month is the beginning of the end of this nightmare.

“We cannot wait to become the beating heart of Roecliffe again. It seems wrong that a tight-knit community such as ours hasn’t had a pub open since Christmas.

“If all goes well, and we are praying that it does, the lockdown is eased ever further on May 17, when we can open fully and welcome everyone indoors, though you will have to order food and drink from your table. You can also book accommodation here from May 17, which is great news.

“Finally, again if all goes to plan, June 21 is the key date when everything returns to normal, or as near normal as things can be after such a challenging 15 months. I suspect that date may well be in your diaries now."