CREWE town centre tentatively emerged from lockdown today (Wednesday) as shoppers were greeted with festive lights and a gaping hole in the Royal Arcade.

Cheshire East has been placed back into the high alert level Tier Two and retail outlets that were not classed as essential reopened for the first time since November 5.

Town centre car parks were noticeably fuller, but there was hardly a stampede back to the shops and despite the positive news of the vaccine announcement many people look to be gingerly finding their way back to some sort of normality.

Pubs remained shut, although those serving meals such as Albert's Corner on Prince Albert Street did reopen their doors.

For those making few expeditions from their homes, other than for food shopping, over the past month the town centre has visibly changed.

The ongoing demolition along Queensway has gathered pace and contractors Cawarden have now bulldozed much of the old shopping row, while Big Bill has been completely scaffolded and clad ready to be taken down.

The huge disappointment at the cancellation of the Lumen Lights display has been compensated in part by one of the most spectacular festive set of lights for years with Memorial Square's tree installation particularly stunning.

Gyms and personal care services, including hair salons, are also back open. Crewe Lifestyle Centre's doors are open again in line with government guidelines for a swim or a gym session.

The centre is open from 6am for early birds, but booking for all sessions is still essential.

Crewe Library also reopened today, although with shorter opening times (9am -5.30pm).

Grassroots outdoors sports has been able to restart and after four weeks kicking their heels Crewe FC will be back in action when they host Lostock Gralam in a Cheshire League clash at the Cumberland Arena (K.O 2pm).

For elite sport placement in Tier Two means that up to 2,000 fans will be allowed back into Gresty Road, but Crewe Alex fans will have to wait until Saturday, December 12 when the club host Northampton.

Crewe say they can accommodate all their season ticket holders who will be seated in temporarily socially distanced seats. They will also be required to familiarise themselves with a Covid-19 fans code of conduct.

Collective worship and weddings can also take place again and people will no longer be limited to seeing one other person outdoors.

But while Cheshire East Council reports the borough infection rate has halved since the start of the lockdown there is still concern and people are being warned to adhere to the Tier Two rules.

Council leader Sam Corcoran said: "I would expect the rate to fall further as the impact of the lockdown is felt, but it is still higher than it was at the start of October and it needs to come down further. There are still restrictions in place."

The authority stresses that people in Cheshire East must not socialise indoors with anybody from outside their household or support bubble.

This applies, for example, to going inside at a friend's or family member's house or meeting people from outside your household in an indoor public space.

The Rule of Six applies in outdoor spaces. This means that people from different households can meet in a group of up to six people outside, including in private gardens and alfresco dining, or other spaces such as parks.

But The Rule of Six does not replace the need for social distancing.

Cllr Corcoran added: "We saw worryingly high rates of infection in Cheshire East - our rates peaked at more than 250 cases per 100,000 people in mid-November.

"Through positive action by residents and the knock-on effects of a national lockdown, rates are now steadily decreasing down to 127 cases per 100,000 people.

"We would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard and sacrificed so much to fight Covid-19. Rates are slowly coming down but not quick enough, there is still more work to do.

"Being in tier two also allows us to reopen our libraries and leisure centres which are a lifeline for many residents."

The government will review which areas are in which tiers every 14 days.