THEATRE bosses admit it is good to be back after hosting their first show since the coronavirus lockdown.

Witham Public Hall welcomed a reduced number of people through its doors to watch a Beach Boys tribute band live in concert.

It was the first time the venue has put on a show in more than six months and despite a couple of teething issues, manager Nigel Northfield insisted the evening was a success.

He said: “Our Beached Boys concert went very well and all the safeguards we’d put in place seemed to work.

“That’s not to say we got everything absolutely right first time and we have made a few tweaks to improve things further, mainly on how we handle things ‘behind the scenes’.

“The day after the concert we had a number of emails from audience members expressing their delight at being able to attend a live concert after so long. One of them said that he and his wife felt safer than on a visit to the supermarket.

“For us it was great to see the building back in use again, even if we can only allow a restricted number of people to attend.

The hall can now hold a maximum of 80 people due to social distancing - way down from its capacity of 275.

Bosses hope they will be able to welcome at least 20 more people once they reopen the balcony area.

A number of new features have been added to the venue, including a one-way system in the auditorium, waiter service from the bar and a special isolation area in case someone develops symptoms while in the building.

With new restrictions due to be announced this week to halt a second wave of coronavirus, Mr Northfield admits there is some uncertainty about upcoming events planned in October.

He added: “We’ll find out soon whether they are allowed to go ahead.

“We will, of course, ensure the welfare of our audience and volunteers is paramount and won’t put on live events just because they are allowed – we have to be confident we can do so safely before going ahead.”

n Bootleg Boss, a Bruce Springsteen tribute, is due to take place on Friday, October 2.