One of Manchester's most renowned restaurants will finally reopen its doors today, after a month-long closure.
Kala on King Street, part of Gary Usher's Elite Bistros group, made the decision to close until restrictions ended following an 'exhausting' experience with Test and Trace rules.
The popular restaurant said back in June that repeatedly reopening and closing restaurants 'costs so much money, energy and time', and took the decision to close until the end of coronavirus restrictions.
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Kala had to close after one staff member tested positive for Covid-19, sending their entire team of 15 into self-isolation.
Their statement at the time said they would follow the rules 'to the letter' but questioned how sustainable the current model of self-isolation - even once receiving a negative test - could be.
They wrote: "How much longer can businesses be put under such pressure? How much more strain can the hospitality industry handle?
"For us, right now, we don't know. We're exhausted, our team is disheartened, guests are left disappointed, more food wasted."
The so-called 'pingdemic', where people have to self-isolate if they're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace app or service, has proven to be a huge challenge for hospitality.
Many bars, pubs and restaurants have had to temporarily close across the region following confirmed cases or close contacts with positive cases among employees, leaving them without sufficient staffing to operate.
Kala also thanked its customers for their understanding, and their 'continued love and support'.
The restaurant had launched a new menu at its ground-floor bar mere days before it had to close, where its famous featherblade beef is served inside a house-baked bread roll.
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