At last! Devon reopens indoors!

And it's day one for Mickey's, Exmouth

After that short interruption, life takes a step towards normality once more.

The next stage of the lockdown roadmap is here, meaning hospitality venues can welcome customers indoors for the first time this year.

And for one Exmouth venue, it's a very special occasion. Mickey's Beach Bar and Restaurant on the seafront is serving people for the first time ever.

It's the latest venture for Devon chef and entrepreneur Michael Caines - and a landmark day for the Exmouth seafront regeneration project.

That scheme has been in development for about a decade, initially known as 'the waterspouts centre.'

It's been mired in controversy, leading to many long-established attractions on Queens Drive being moved away as their leases, issued by East Devon District Council, lapsed.

Grenadier, a development company in Exeter which emphasises its sustainability credentials, won the contract to build the new £3 million centre. But it's been a long time coming, after a group called Save Exmouth Seafront fought tooth and nail to prevent it.

Protestors led to court cases. Court cases led to additional expense and lengthy delays. And the building that has eventually emerged is not the one originally envisaged, being smaller, and with less focus on watersports.

The biggest single element is the restaurant, with an ice cream parlour downstairs. A shop selling windsurfing and power-kiting accessories takes up the opposite side. A members' club for windsurfers is getting ready to welcome guests too. 

But today's the big day for Michael Caines and his team. He told Radio Exe: "It's a quality development and we've created a great restaurant like this because quality will always attract people.

"We've listened to residents. We're going to be good neighbours. We hope people in Exmouth will like it, and I think people will travel here from Exeter, from Honiton, from Torbay, from further afield too."