WEST Dorset businesses are 'delighted' with the news that they will be able to reopen from next week and catch vital Christmas trade.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week that the national lockdown will end on December 2 as originally forecast.

The country will revert back to a tiered system. As reported, Dorset will be in Tier 2.

Gyms and non-essential businesses, including shops, which have been closed since November 5, will be able to reopen, regardless of what tier Dorset finds itself in.

The News spoke to businesses earlier this week before it was revealed what tier the county would be in.

Sally Ann Palmer, co-owner of Cilla and Camila, said: “We’re delighted with this restrictions being lifted. Christmas is coming and we have a lot of new stock in. We’ll be opening all the shops and doing everything we can to make sure our customers come back to see us.

"It was incredibly vital for the retail industry to get up and running in December – we as an industry would have been in a lot of trouble had we not been able to open. It would have had a disastrous effect.

"It’s a huge benefit to be able to open regardless of tiers. We’ve already lost our second busiest month of the year in November so we’re banking on a good December.

"People aren’t really travelling out of town to shop, they're doing their shopping locally so we hope that will work in our favour."

Will Thrower, centre manager of Bridport Leisure Centre, said: "It's very positive news that we’re able to get back open straight away, with no delays this time.

"Since we reopened our main priority has always been the health and safety of our members and our staff – it shows how much the leisure centre means to the town.

"The benefits of health and exercise are well documented both mentally and physically. It’s vital it was brought back so early so that people can get back to normality and aspects of life they enjoy."

Pubs can stay open until 11pm, with last orders at 10pm. However under the Tier 2 restrictions they can only open if operating as restaurants.

Speaking earlier this week, Graham Taylor, owner of the Tiger Inn, said: "If we couldn’t reopen in December it would be a real struggle for a lot of venues. Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for pubs and bars and it’s very important that we be allowed to reopen."