Fans of the Beartown Tap can finally enjoy a return to the pub this weekend, after the popular watering hole announced its reopening.

The pub will be welcoming patrons back through its doors from 6pm on Friday. The Tap will only be open Friday and Saturday this weekend and will be taking bookings for two time slots.

The first being 6pm to 9pm and the second 9pm to 12am. All bookings are limited to a maximum of six people as per the guidelines.

Announcing their reopening, the Beartown Tap team posted on social media: "The good news is the wait is over and we will reopen this weekend albeit as a bit of a test run to see if we have got things right.

"Our pub will have limited capacity as we will be seating only, the narrow layout of our building means we haven't got much room for standing within the current Covid-19 guidelines.

"Whilst we are trying to bring you a 'normal' pub experience, please appreciate that we aren't able to do some of the things we used to, it's not us being difficult, it's just a case of measures being put in place to ensure everyone's safety in these difficult times.

"We are using this weekend to trial these measures and see how they work with real customers in the pub."

A new trader will be serving up Mexican street food meals on Saturday from 6pm to 9pm.

If you would like to book with the Beartown Tap for Friday or Saturday (maybe even both), message the Tap team on their Facebook page.

The Tap team added: "The past five months have been pretty horrendous and the pub has felt soulless without any people in it.

"It has been a period of massive uncertainty for the team and we are delighted to be able to finally say we can reopen the doors.

"All your messages and support have meant the world to us and kept us going throughout lockdown. We really do appreciate every single person who chooses to drink in our establishment.

"We cannot wait to welcome you back and show you what we have been up to.

"We hope you like the changes we have made and the really good news is that we have managed to find a whole load of new great tasting beers that we cannot wait to share with you."