Wedding venues are brushing off the cobwebs and preparing to re-open after a near 15-month closure under Government covid rules.

Licensed venues were ordered to shut last March to combat the spread of the virus with establishments only able to conduct a few small-scale celebrations under the changing rules.

However, under Boris Johnson's new roadmap scheme, venues such as barns, hotels, golf clubs and other places allowed to hold ceremonies will be allowed to re-open.

On March 29 weddings will be permitted with six attendees and no longer limited to exceptional circumstances. The next key date is 12 April when venues will be allowed to host 15 people increasing to 30 no earlier than 17 May but guests will probably have to remain seated with no dancing.

But the key date for most venues will be 21 June when all restrictions will be lifted and weddings will return to 'normal' with receptions, dancing and bar service.

One venue which is looking forward to re-opening is Copdock Hall near the Shotley peninsula. Owner Ian Evans said the past 12 months have been among the most challenging of his life.

He said: "We're due to re-open on the longest day which is a suitable metaphor for the longest period of our life. Wedding venues have been at the back of the queue for understanding and support but it's not just us, it's our suppliers like hairdressers, DJs, caterers, florists – the list is endless.

"We've lost immeasurable amounts of money but we've also been at the coal face dealing with couple's understandable anguish, upset and financial worries. It's been a really tough time for them as they've had to re-arrange dates, sometimes twice and three times.

"We've done our very best to help and accommodate them and we have to say, the vast majority of couples have been really great, understanding and pragmatic about finding new dates."

Emma Quin who runs Pretty Faces make-up which operates across Suffolk said it had been a tough year. She has been working as a carer over the past 12 months to earn money to pay the bills.

She said: "It's been very hard because most of the time we didn't know when we could work again. It seemed endless but at the same time I've had worried brides contacting seeking answers which I couldn't give.

"That's why the roadmap is great – we have some certainty at last."

Mr Evans said the phone had not stopped ringing at Copdock Hall since the Prime Minister's roadmap announcement on 22 February.

He added: "I guess couples were holding off until there was some certainty. Some couples are looking for dates later this year but most are for 2022 and 2023 when hopefully, there'll be some normality and we can get back to celebrating weddings.

The venue, which has hosted weddings for a number of couples from the peninsula, also has its own vineyard and is within a short stroll of St Peter's church. Find more details on Copdock Hall at their website here...