PEOPLE in Brighton were among the biggest pub spenders in the country during the first week of reopening, figures suggest.

As coronavirus restrictions eased, many pubs and bars in Brighton and Hove opened their doors for the first time this year.

Eager Brits queued outside their favourite beer gardens to get their first taste of normality, and people in Brighton were no exception.

Brighton was ranked among the biggest pub spenders in the first week of lockdown, according to research conducted technology company Dojo.

The city had the tenth largest average spend per customer coming in at £21.03.

Many publicans across Brighton and Hove have been enjoying the challenge of dealing with the increased demand after months of closure.

Mark Such, general manager at the King and Queen in Marlborough Place, Brighton, said that revellers have been toasting the first signs of freedom.

He said: “It is nice to say that on the first day we could have filled the pub five times more.

“We were very busy and we had to have a very sensible and organised queue out the front with distancing in place, but we couldn’t possibly fit everyone who wanted to come in.

“Everybody has been in a such a lovely, fun mood and we had no issues whatsoever. Everyone stuck to the rules. Support from the community has been brilliant.”

Jen Left, landlady at the Hand in Hand in Upper St James’s Street, Brighton, said she was “shell-shocked” to be around so many people after months off, but she was thrilled to see regulars return alongside many new faces.

She said: “Everyone has been really lovely, so it’s all really positive. I think this time round people want to socialise and see their friends because this lockdown has felt like a long, hard slog.”

Data collected by Dojo found that the first day of pubs reopening led to four times usual spend levels across hospitality compared to typical Monday trading.

Brighton was closely followed by London with £20.54 average spend per customer, closely followed by Crewe and Gloucester.