"Hearing balls clanging together as they are being whacked, it is a weird feeling."

Yesterday, marked another giant step towards normality with indoor hospitality allowed to return up and down the country.

For one Bradford venue, it was a double whammy. Q Gardens were not only able to open their bar indoors, but their snooker tables were back in full operation for the first time in a while.

Almost six months have passed since Bradfordians last chalked their cues and smashed the white into a cluster of reds.

All the tables have been available to book at the Stadium Road venue, next to Odsal Stadium, and the reception has been brilliant.

Players will be pleased to know masks are not necessary while playing and balls are cleaned every night with a special Pro Ball Shine cleaner.

Co-manager Sean Lowe said: "It is just great to be back inside. We are made up!

"Walking into our snooker room was electric with all the people smiling and happy.

"We are fully booked. The excitement level is something else.

"Snooker was open just before the November lockdown, but we were at 50% capacity of the tables.

"There is a maximum of three people per table just to keep social distancing, but we are now back to full table use."

Q Gardens were one of the many bars which operated an outdoor service from April 12 with their car park converted into a temporary beer garden.

They have tried all they can during these past 15 months to get going again, investing over £25,000 on Covid-19 measures. Lateral flow testing twice a week is also now on offer for their staff.

Sean added: "We really have taken major steps to work with the public to make sure they have an enjoyable safe experience.

"It has been very hard to adapt so quickly to the restrictions. It has cost us a lot.

"When we opened the doors at 10am yesterday, people were just excited to grab their first pint inside a pub.

"We have a really loyal customer base who have been really supportive."