SOUTH East Cornwall’s policing boss has praised the sensible approach from pubs and the general public as hospitality businesses were allowed to open at the weekend.

Inspector Rupert Engley said that with the exception of one drink driving offence, none of the incidents attended by police on ’Super Saturday’ had anything to do with the lifting of restrictions.

He said that there had been ’overwhelming responsible behaviour across Liskeard, Looe, Saltash and Torpoint’ – but cautioned that there was still ’a long way to go’ as pubs and bars continue to have to operate with social distancing rules in place.

In Liskeard, one person working behind a bar on Saturday commented that while people had generally been very good at sticking to the guidelines, people who’ve had a drink ’just want to hug their friends’.

The town’s Royal British Legion said it had a successful opening weekend as lockdown laws lifted. Members were at last able to come back, catch up with each other and enjoy the atmosphere of the club on Barn Street.

’Like everybody else, we opened up on Saturday and we were also open on Sunday,’ said premises supervisor and treasurer Alan Mayne.

’It’s all gone very well and with the vast majority of people respecting the social distancing.’

The club has made all the necessary efforts to ensure safety and to track people’s attendance as required by the Covid rules.

’People are signing in and out and times are recorded for a three-week period,’ said Alan.

’The committee has worked really hard to get the club open on time and members supported us on Saturday.’

With events such as Bingo and Quizzes, which are a key part of supporting the RBL, not possible for the time being, Alan says the way forward is not exactly clear for the club.

The social club is currently opening on restricted hours of Thursday and Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Meanwhile over at the Albion, landlord Alex McKay had organised a ticket-only event and allowed only 110 people through the door.

He says this cap will be lifted as he’s able to get more people into the beer garden when it’s dry.

Alex said it had been hard work getting everything in place and a little stressful wondering how things would go on the evening of opening – but that in the end it was ’fantastic’.

He said he’d had great support from both the local police and the council.

’It’s been fantastic. I’ve been very impressed with the attitude of everybody.’