GOLDEN Square has promised Warrington’s biggest outdoor eating and drinking space when Covid restrictions ease on Monday.

As part of Boris Johnson's 'roadmap', lockdown rules will relax from next week meaning restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can serve people outside.

The shopping centre is making the most of the government's next step and supporting the businesses around Old Market Place by transforming its outdoor square into an al fresco dining area.

The rule of six applies so people can meet up to five friends for a drink or meal or people can meet in a larger group if it is made up of no more than two households.

Altogether the square has room for at least 250 people to meet while taking social distancing into account.

Ian Cox, centre director for Golden Square, said: "We’ve now got a plan in place for the rest of the year where we’re going to move at a pace which mirrors the government roadmap.

"So when we have permission to ramp things up we have already got things in place to do so.

"From April 12, the outside space will basically become Warrington’s biggest outdoor eating and drinking square. We will have the tables and chairs out as a huge communal space.

"We’ve got the bars and restaurants and a pop-up bar ready to open and there’s room for at least 250 people to meet safely.

"Hopefully the weather plays ball but if it doesn't we're lucky that most of the square is covered anyway.

"We're prepping the square now so as soon as we open people can come shopping, they can grab a coffee or a bite to eat and sit outside and feel safe.

"When the sun is shining the Old Market Place has got a proper European plaza feel."

Visitors on Monday can also be among the first to try out new Neapolitan-style pizzeria, Dough Dough.

As soon as restrictions ease, it will be launching in the glass-fronted former Prezzo unit.