Chris Hannon, the managing director of Coastal & Country Inns, the owners of The Crown in Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, said a number of post-lockdown weddings had been booked there from June onwards.

Mr Hannon refurbished the pub last year when he bought it after it went into liquidation. He plans to re-open it on April 12, as the lockdown finally eases.

He said: “We cannot wait to become the beating heart of Roecliffe again. It seems wrong that a tight-knit community such as ours hasn’t had a pub open since Christmas.”

Mr Hannon revealed that he has been heartened by the support The Crown had received during lockdown – and by the fact that a number of weddings had already been booked there from June onwards.

He said: “I want to reassure everyone that we are going to be exceptionally safe and Covid-secure. The Government guidelines are clear – we can serve people outdoors only, but, crucially, this time round you can just meet for a drink. No-one has to eat. There is also no curfew, but you must order, eat and drink at your table.”

He added: “It has been immensely reassuring to have had the support of the community during these challenging times, whilst the bookings for weddings have reinforced The Crown’s excellent reputation for being one of North US’s most popular marriage venues. Our first wedding is in late June – and it will be a spectacular celebration.

“We suspect that a number of weddings have been postponed because of Covid-19 and we are more than happy and ready to host any re-arranged marriages and ensure they are very special.”

The Coastal and Country Inns portfolio now comprises the Crown at Roecliffe; the Devonshire Arms at Hartington, near Buxton; and the Owl at Hawnby, near Helmsley.