THE owners behind one of York's most popular drinking spots have called on people to support traditional wet pubs as Covid-19 takes its toll.

Trafalgar Bay opened up its beer garden on Wednesday to walk-in's and customers with table reservations after months of closures and financial losses.

Sarah Walmsley, who runs the pub with partner Phil Roper, said it was a "happy" moment and urged customers new and old to head out into town and support their local taverns.

Speaking to the Press, Sarah said: "I'm really excited. It's been a long time and we can't wait to see people again. Just really happy to be opening again.

"We need people to come out and support the pub. We've got a huge beer garden - we've chosen to make sure people feel safe when they come out so we've really spread out the benches and we've got blankets for when it rains.

"One of the customers kindly donated money so we could buy blankets. A lot of pubs have been closing earlier but we're going to be closing at normal time.

"We're hoping people will bring a hot water bottle and we'll fill it up for them.

"We really need people to come out and support us.

"A lot of people don't know our beer garden is actually there because from the front you see a traditional tile fronted pub. We hope people will come check us out.

"Pubs like ours at the moment, we need all the help we can."

Sarah is also resuming the Monday Meet Ups, Craft & Chatter Wednesday, Bonkers For Books on Friday and 'Just For Fun' Quiz on a Sunday.

The pub will have table service with cash only payments.

"We've had a lot of people missing us while we've been locked down," Sarah said.