What does being in tier 2 mean for Bristol?

Following the surprise announcement by Matt Hancock that Bristol is being placed into tier two, people across the city have already been working flat out to prepare for an unexpected return of customers.

From Saturday, live theatre will return to Bristol Old Vic with a performance of Living Spit’s Beauty and the Beast.

“Living Spit… have been waiting in the wings for this moment and will be rushing to meet the public with all the glee and generosity that there are many fans know and love them for,” said Bristol Old Vic’s artistic director Tom Morris said

As that show approaches its interval, Bristol Rovers should have been kicking off in front of 2,000 fans at the Memorial Stadium – but that match has been postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the club.

So the Pirates’ match against Portsmouth on December 29 will see fans return to the Mem for the first time since March, with Ashton Gate Stadium due to welcome back spectators for Bristol City‘s game against Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day and Bristol Bears vs Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

2,000 fans will soon be able to return to watch games at Ashton Gate – photo: Martin Booth

Watershed will be reopening on Saturday, with CEO Clare Reddington promising “a brief but highly festive spell… Come join us for a glass of something with all the same, spacious precautions as we had before lockdown plus some sparkle.” Films screening will be confirmed shortly.

Also quick out of the blocks will be Mr Wolf’s, where four stand-up comedy shows – two indoors and two on their roof terrace – will take place on Sunday, organised by the inimitable Mark Olver.

Among the city’s visitor attractions, the SS Great Britain will be reopening again from Boxing Day, but We The Curious will not be welcoming visitors until January, when their new ground floor exhibition Project What If will finally be revealed.

Among restaurants across the city reopening their doors to diners, one restaurant on Stokes Croft opening for the very first time on Saturday is Nadu, serving Sri Lankan and Tamil-style cuisine from the same team behind Indian restaurant Nutmeg in Clifton Village.

One bar reopening on Saturday is the Milk Thistle on the centre, with a new food pop-up called Posh Dogs serving meat, vegetarian and vegan hot dogs with waffle fries.

Milk Thistle co-founder Nathan Lee said: “The tier restrictions have obviously proved a huge challenge for the hospitality industry, and after the enforced closures of tier 3 we had to get creative when it came to reopening our bars (which usually don’t serve food), which is how Posh Dogs came about!”

From Saturday, guests will be able to book a table at The Milk Thistle for an hour and 45 minute sittings, and for £20 they will be able to get stuck into their choice of hot dog, a serving of waffle fries and a cocktail or drink of their choice – photo: The Milk Thistle

The next tier review is expected to take place on December 30, with any changes coming into effect in early January.

Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, has welcomed the easing of restrictions but has urged caution over the coming weeks to prevent another rise of infections in the new year.

Rees said: “This is very welcome news for many people in our city, particularly as we look towards the end of what has been a very difficult year.

“We must continue to work hard to keep the numbers under control so we don’t go back to where we have been. While I know it has been difficult, our actions have saved lives.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Bristol to move from tier three to tier two