IT has now been more than a week since pubs across Dorset opened up their gardens and outside spaces for customers, following what has seemed like an eternity for many. The prospect of an indoors pint may still be a few weeks away but that hasn t stopped thousands across the county, donning their hats and coats – for what was has been an unseasonally cold few April days – and heading off for an al fresco drink and pub meal. On April 12 pub gardens were full of life again, albeit in a slightly socially-distanced toned down Covid secure manner. Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his four-step roadmap out of lockdown earlier in the year, pubs and bars across towns like Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been inundated with bookings.