Pubs and restaurants across the Maldon district are eager to make customers feel safe and welcome as Covid restrictions ease on 19 July.

Restrictions such as social distancing and the legal requirement to wear face masks are set to be scrapped, while customers will be able to queue at the bar and sit at tables of more than six inside and outside.

Hospitality businesses across the district are adopting a mixed approach to help customers who are less comfortable about the easing of restrictions feel welcome.

Customers can enjoy an expanded outside area at the Queen Victoria pub in Spital Road - and even a staycation.

Landlord James Burrell-Cook said: "We have a beach now in the garden, so those customers that can't get away to a sunny destination can come to the beach at the Queen Vic."

He added: "We've got our marquee, which offers a safer space outside if people are nervous."

The pub will return to full capacity for the first time since March 2020, having lost 50 per cent of its tables due to social distancing requirements.

There will still be back-to-back dining and some screens up, while the pub recommends that its customers keep wearing masks while unseated.

Keeping sanitisers at each table will allow the Queen Vic to continue giving back. A proportion of the profits from each order of the pub's pink sanitiser goes to breast cancer awareness via Cancer Research UK.

Tollesbury Cafe, on Woodrolfe Road, will also be keeping pink sanitisers on each table in aid of breast cancer research. A shield will remain at the café's till, while staff will no longer have to wear masks.

Owner Samantha Harmer said: "We're going to have some provisions in place just because people like them, and they probably feel a little bit more comfortable that they're here."

She continued: "I think the staff will see a difference because it's nice to be able to talk to people and it's nice seeing people smile."

Another business working hard to accommodate customers is Bistro on the Quay, in Burnham-on-Crouch. It is expanding its outside area to fit another 30 people, which will be made available by the beginning of August.

Its inside area will remain open to everybody, with track and trace continuing and sanitisers available.

Manager Claire Payne said: "We're open for anyone to basically do what they want to do - what makes them feel comfortable."

Claire hopes that the big increase in footfall seen by the café over the pandemic will continue. She said: "We've got that lovely outside seating area, and as soon as the sun comes out we're at full capacity, more or less, all day - with the increased seating we're hoping that that will still be the case."

She added: "We're on it. We do all our cleaning, we do all our due diligence, and it's just lovely to see people enjoying themselves."

The Mitre Lounge, on The Street in Wickham Bishops, is busily preparing to adjust to customers ordering at the bar for the first time. Sarah Buckley, who owns the Mitre with partner Martin, said: "Financially, for us, it will be a godsend."

When customers order at the table while the pub is busy, she said, drinks often get missed off the bill because they are so keen to get everyone's orders out.

But Sarah remains keen to accommodate those who wish to remain seated. The pub is launching an app by the end of next week, which will allow customers to order at the table.

She said: "We're trying to tick both boxes. From a social point of view and for people that are ready to unlock, they can come to the bar and have some social interaction.

"For anyone that's still feeling worried, we've got an outside bar which we open anyway."

The Victoria Inn, on Belvedere Road in Burnham-on-Crouch, also has an outside space which has been a godsend during restrictions.

Landlady Lorna Hart said: "It's been really difficult having extra staff on at all times to provide table service, but, in general, people have been understanding and many have enjoyed not having to queue at the bar."

As restrictions lift, Lorna is preparing to end table service and welcome back the pub's much-loved pool table. Hand sanitisers will remain on each table and staff will maintain rigorous cleaning.

Lorna said: "We cannot wait to serve people at the bar again, but we do hope people will be sensible and still give others some personal space."

She continued: "We may continue with table service at busy times just so we do not have so many people at the bar, but it's great to have the option.

"Our staff will continue to test regularly, and we will do all we can to keep them and our customers safe".

The Keep it Local campaign is being launched through Maldon District Council's Sense of Place initiative, with funding from the Magnox Decommissioning Fund.