Liverpool was bustling today as people enjoyed a day of shopping and catching up with friends outside over a drink or meal for the first weekend since some lockdown measures were lifted.
On Monday, the government implemented Step 2 of the roadmap out lockdown which saw the opening of Liverpool's restaurants, pubs and bars albeit outside and non-essential stores clothes and homeware stores.
The city centre was once again packed with customers this afternoon as a sense of 'normality' returned to the street for the first time since New Year's Eve which saw all hospitality venues close.
Drinkers and diners soaked up the rays as the sun shone down on Concert Square, Bold Street, Castle Street, Mathew Street and Liverpool ONE which were bustling with customers enjoying a meal or a pint outside.
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The government's Step 2 allows pubs and restaurants to serve customers with drinks and meals outside only. There is no curfew in place and no need for alcohol to be accompanied by a 'substantial meal'.
There were the usual queues outside some stores including Primark and Zara, but reassuringly everyone appeared to be sticking to social distancing and numbers of shoppers were seen wearing masks outside shops as well as inside.
It was also the day of the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and tributes were paid to him on billboards throughout the city centre.
People across Liverpool's various beer gardens enjoyed the last of the sunshine well into the evening which soon turned chilly and they were forced to wrap up warm.
Along with 'non-essential' shops like clothing and homeware stores, betting shops and electronic stores, personal care businesses like hair and beauty salons, libraries, theme parks and zoos also reopened this week, along with indoor leisure facilities like gyms for individually or within household groups.
