TODAY shops, hairdressers, gyms and pub gardens across Basingstoke reopened their doors for the first time since Christmas Eve.

The town centre transformed from what could be compared to a ghost town into a bustling community of friends, family and loved ones heading out to enjoy their newfound freedom.

Eager customers wasted no time in making the most of the easing of coronavirus restrictions as the country took the next significant step on its journey out of a third national lockdown.

Shoppers were queueing up from as early as six o’clock this morning to hunt down essentials in Primark.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Friends Erin and Elana (pictured above) were one of the first in the queue, Elana, who works as a retail assistant, said: “It's exciting we are going back to something we used to not think twice about. I think the little things, like how the road map was set out, gave me more faith and were more promising this time around.”

Office worker Erin said she found the last three months ‘hard’ being stuck at home.

Losing lengthy lockdown locks and reinvigorating beauty treatments were the priority for others as relaxed rules meant salons and hairdressers were able to treat customers for the first time since January 6.

Box Hairdressers in Church Street, told the Gazette they are now fully booked for the next few weeks, Peter, a partner at the hairdressers said: "Welcoming in the customer after all this time feels like greeting old friends. We are lucky enough to be fully booked up until the second week of May."

Basingstoke Gazette:

The salon has installed an array of safety measures including an automatic temperature checker that asks customers to put on a mask if they do not already have one on.

The salon also had five new employees join them as they reopened and are proud to have been able to create new jobs during the difficult period. 

Punters desperate for a freshly-poured pint quenched their thirst in beer at 9 am at The Angel in the town centre.

Diners were also spotted eating al fresco on restaurant terraces as outdoor hospitality venues reopen.

Shoppers Jessica Senior (left) and Charlie Frewin (right) were happy to be out of the house browsing round the shops.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Jessica said: “I am just excited to be out again and to go shopping. There is nothing quite like being in a shop and being able to feel the clothes.

I have tried online shopping but things don’t fit or feel right. I am excited to go to the sports stores because I’m an avid fitness fan.”

Charlie said she had found the last few months ‘difficult’ and ‘stressful’.

Adding: “You just don’t feel free and this will be the first time in months we have been able to do somthing normal”.

Indoor gyms, swimming pools, libraries and zoos are also welcoming back visitors from today, as England takes another tentative step back to normality.

Let us know what you have been up to in the comments below