TEA Room owner Harriet Henry said she was ‘absolutely ecstatic’ to be open again following the lifting of the second nationwide lockdown.

Harriet reopened her King Street business yesterday, Wednesday, following the month-long lockdown, during which she ran a takeaway service four days a week.

For people meeting up with friends for a coffee Harriet has introduced a gazebo and patio heater in the courtyard outside the Tea Room.

She said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic about being open again, and was bouncing off the walls all day yesterday – it was so lovely to see everyone again.

“The minute we opened the door we had five or six tables, and it was all our regulars.

Knutsford Guardian:

Harriet Henry prepares the outside tables. Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

“Everyone was so happy to see each other again – it was like a reunion.

“I was doing takeaways during last month’s lockdown more to keep in touch with our customers, and we are now open seven days a week again now.

“We have invested in a gazebo and a patio heater so people can sit comfortably outside in the courtyard.

“People are used to getting wrapped up, and everybody is just so happy to be back out and about.

“If they want to meet up with a friend they have to be outside, and we have quite a few regular groups of friends who come and meet together, so we really did it for them so they would be comfortable.

“We can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and you can see a marked improvement in everyone’s mood because of that.”