PUBS and bars across the borough are set to re-open in the coming days.

But restrictive new measures are set to transform how people normally enjoy their drink.

Many establishments are operating at half-capacity, with social-distancing measures in place, while other guidelines are set to completely change their atmosphere.

Samantha Gibbs, landlady at The Major in Ramsbottom, said that the excitement has meant it already feels like there is “life back in the pub again.”

She said: “It’s going to look very different for quite some time.

“We are not going to be at full occupancy - we are going to be at around 50 per cent to adhere to the one-metre rule.

“We can’t say that we are not anxious but it is just nice to get people back in the pub again - it feels like there’s a new lease of life.”

Charles Daubney is also looking forward to reopening his bars and pubs, as he owns four around the Bury area, The Monkey House, Hops World Beers & Gin Bar and The Elephants Trunk - all in Bury - as well as The Ram in Ramsbottom.

He said: “It has given us time to do up the different premises, something that you would normally struggle for time with.

“At the White Horse, for example, we have sorted the beer garden out and repainted all inside the pub.”

Charles’ establishments are set to feature stringent safety measures, including booked slots for customers, a one-in-one-out toilet system and copious amounts of sanitiser for staff and guests.

He is also pleased that he will be able to provide further support for Bury Rugby Club, whom he sponsors.

Charles added: “It will be really nice to welcome back some of the regulars.

“I am expecting everyone to be sat down, enjoying a drink and relaxing with their friends. I don’t think it’s going to kill the vibe - we are not putting people behind screens or closed doors.”

A lot of the upcoming fears for the reopening come from the size of the pub.

And The Unicorn in Radcliffe is hoping that their size doesn’t too greatly affect their service.

Landlord Jamie Whittle said: “It’s going to be a very big change, from allowing more than 100 in the pub to around 40.

“Imagine trying to tell people when they’re drunk to stop what they are doing and sit down - it’s going to be difficult.

“It is very nice to get the business up and running again even if it is less than what it was before, but we have to do it.

Jamie added that he plans to "give it a few days” to see how it goes , as his costs are currently more.

The Waggonmakers Arms, in Tottington Road, is worried about what the new norm for their business will look like.

Landlady Julie Brooks said: “I think it is going to be hard for us - we’re only a little terraced pub and we are going to have to police it ourselves.

“As it’s a small pub it's a real community pub and it’ll be like getting the pub family back. We can only try our best.”

Another pub attempting trial and error is the The Shoulder Of Mutton in Holcombe village.

Landlady Cat Bateman said: “It is well needed after so long. We weren’t eligible for a grant so we really needed to be reopening the doors.

“We’re a little bit nervous, so we will see how it goes. It’s kind of like trial and error.

“It could go all wrong and we have to change it all the next day. We will just have to wait and see - exciting but nervous.”

Over in Prestwich, Lisa Dalgarno, owner of The Crooked Man, said: “I’m really looking forward to it but it is difficult to know how it is going to go.

“We have a big space inside as well as a beer garden but what is most frustrating is the guidelines.

“They are vague and different bars and pubs will have different priorities of what they can and can’t do.”

Police are planning a “significant” operation across Greater Manchester to ensure the reopenings run smoothly.

Deputy chief chief constable Ian Pilling said: “People are becoming more bored with the lockdown, the weather is getting warmer, the nightclubs are not opening, and festivals have been cancelled.

"I think people want to go out and generally have a good time so I think we’ll see that on Saturday.”

But Mayor Andy Burnham added: “I think it is downright reckless to allow pubs to reopen on a Saturday when the country has been in lockdown.

"It’s a Saturday in the summer in the middle of a pandemic."