PUBS across East Lothian have reported a busy few days after opening their doors to customers for the first time in more than three months.

Scottish Government-imposed restrictions to help fight the coronavirus pandemic were relaxed last week, with customers allowed back inside pubs, provided they followed social distancing.

Businesses throughout the county were pleased to welcome back thirsty punters, with each reporting a busy weekend.

Laura McSweeney, from The Green in Haddington, was pleased with how the weekend had gone.

She said people had been “respectful” of the restrictions in place and the beer garden was proving popular, with the exception of during poor weather.

She added: “It has been a bit of a mixture to be honest. The usual suspects are coming back but it has been a bit of an unusual time as people are heading back to work.

“Overall, we have had a lot more people come in for food and there has been quite a good turnout.”

Social distancing restrictions are in place at the Court Street pub, with signs reminding people of the restrictions.

Meanwhile, staff are wearing visors when serving customers both inside and outside the building.

Hand sanitiser is also available, with a strict cleaning schedule in place for the toilets as well.

Victoria Fowler, at Musselburgh’s Sportsman Bar, described trade as “absolutely brilliant” over the weekend.

She told the Courier: “It was much better than we expected.

“Everybody seems to be following the rules.

“We were full all the time and having to turn people away.”

Despite the restrictions, Victoria said the pub, on the town’s High Street, had been busy.

As well as social distancing, bar stools have been removed, while customers are not allowed to bring their empty glasses back to the bar.

Similar to The Green, there is also a rigorous cleaning regime in place as well.

William Gordon, manager at The Brig Inn in Tranent, said the beer garden had been full and there had been a good number of visitors.

He added that various restrictions had also been put in place but people seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell, local area commander, had attended Haddington’s community council, which was held online, last week.

Chris McEwan, vice-chairman of the group, asked what measures police were putting in place ahead of the first weekend of people drinking inside pubs.

The senior officer said that licensing officers had liaised with each of the licensed premises across East Lothian ahead of them reopening.

He noted that many were simply too small to have a great number of visitors when social distancing was taken into account and officers would be out over the weekend.

He said: “Right through the whole of East Lothian, [licensed premises] are really keen to make sure they provide a safe environment for customers.

“If they do that, there will be far less people within their premises.

“We will deal with any complaints in the normal manner.”

Writing in his Courier column this week, Ch Insp Mitchell was pleased to say that the weekend had gone smoothly.

He wrote: “Our licensed premises and restaurants re-opened in line with the Scottish Government guidance and I am really pleased to say that we had no incidents reported and everyone enjoyed themselves sensibly.”