The Smugglers Inn has announced that it will reopen from Monday, May 17, seven days a week.

Pubs and restaurants are allowed to start serving customers outside from April 12, but the owner of the Smugglers, Nick Stentiford, said he'd decided against that date because the weather might not be good enough for sitting out of doors.

The pub will continue offering its click and collect Sunday carveries until it's open to customers again.

In a video message posted on YouTube, Mr Stentiford said he was also planning some events later this year to mark his 20th year as owner, with some memorabilia from the two decades.

In his message he said: "It's been a tough year for everybody, and we have struggled, as I'm sure all of you have as well, it's not been ideal for anybody, and it's lovely to feel that there's actually light at the end of the tunnel - it certainly does feel that way for me now."

From May 17, the pub will be serving customers under the 'rule of six'.

From June 21, if the Government's Roadmap to Recovery goes according to plan and further restrictions are lifted, the pub will look at increasing the number of tables inside.

Mr Stentiford said: "As a business we'll be looking at the situation from our perspective, and we'll be doing that slowly over the course of a couple of weeks, potentially months, depending on how we feel we want to manage the added tables and social distancing, but we'll look at that closer to the time."

Mr Stentiford also said a 'massive thank-you' to all the customers who've ordered the Sunday click and collect carveries, and to his managers, chefs and other staff, who he said he was 'very proud' of for their work during the pandemic.