Pubs across Glasgow welcomed back customers today after nine months.

The city's move to Level 2 coronavirus restrictions this morning meant that pubs like the Hielan Jessie in Gallowgate are now able to serve alcohol indoors.

This move has been welcomed by many including a regular of the east end pub, Cliff Morledge.

The 88-year-old explained it's been "marvellous" to be back inside one of his favourite watering holes. 

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Glasgow Times: Cliff Morledge, 88, was the Hielan Jessie's first customer in 9 months [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Cliff Morledge, 88, was the Hielan Jessie's first customer in 9 months [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

He said: "I wasn't going out a lot because of the lockdown apart from going to get shopping. 

"It's marvellous, absolutley fantastic coming back into this beautiful pub. It's my favourite pub out of the three pubs I go to.

"For me it's the companionship with people working behind the bar and the owner."

Mr Morledge enjoyed a glass of his favourite, ten year old Laphroaig.

Glasgow Times: The owner of the Hielan Jessie (Billy Gold) serves his first customer (Cliff Morledge) [Photograph by Colin Mearns]The owner of the Hielan Jessie (Billy Gold) serves his first customer (Cliff Morledge) [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

Glasgow Times: Cliff Morledge, 88, enjoys his first drink [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Cliff Morledge, 88, enjoys his first drink [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

Glasgow Times: Owner of the Hielan Jessie pub, Billy Gold, welcomed back customers for the first time in nine months this morning [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Owner of the Hielan Jessie pub, Billy Gold, welcomed back customers for the first time in nine months this morning [Photograph by Colin Mearns] Owner of the pub, Billy Gold, was equally as excited to welcome customers back this morning.

He said: "It's absolutley fantastic you don't realise how much you miss it. We have 12 customers in just now, every one of them regulars. 

"It sounds corny but it's like meeting old pals again. People you've not seen for ages it's like a community hub.

"There's a spring in people's step, they're happy because they're coming back to a bit of familiarity and seeing people they know. 

"We're absolutely delighted, staff are happy to be back to doing what we should be doing, the only problem we have is our reduced capacity.

"It's about staying safe and staying open. In normal circumstances our capacity would be 102 people, now it's 32.

"During the week, during the day, aswell as early Saturday and Sunday it's more the older men who tend to live on their own now and they don't see people that much. 

"It's a live thing, it's a community thing and it's really a sense of normality. 

"It was a pleasure to come in to work this morning."

Glasgow Times: Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

Glasgow Times: Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow regular John Price with a pint of Guinness shortly after the pub opened its doors for the first time in 9 months at 11am this morning allowing people to drink alcohol inside bars and restaurants. [Photograoh by Colin Mearns]Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow regular John Price with a pint of Guinness shortly after the pub opened its doors for the first time in 9 months at 11am this morning allowing people to drink alcohol inside bars and restaurants. [Photograoh by Colin Mearns]

Glasgow Times: Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow regular John Price with a pint of Guinness shortly after the pub opened its doors for the first time in 9 months at 11am this morning allowing people to drink alcohol inside bars and restaurants. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Hielan Jessie pub on the Gallowgate, Glasgow regular John Price with a pint of Guinness shortly after the pub opened its doors for the first time in 9 months at 11am this morning allowing people to drink alcohol inside bars and restaurants. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]