With the lockdown gently easing and people continuing to observe the rules on social distancing, the day may come in the not too distant future when the pubs reopen.

2020 has not been a good year for publicans, and many people miss having a quiet pint at their friendly local.

A lot of these institutions are at the heart of community life and their temporary closure has been a huge wrench.

With this in mind, and knowing that things will not quite get back to normal for some time yet, we asked where is the first place you are going to go for a post lockdown pint.

This is something that you clearly feel passionately about with many great Copeland venues emerging as a favourite haunt from comments left on our Facebook page.

A number of factors are cited for people’s preferences such as great drink, food and atmosphere.

You provided an extensive list of establishments on our Whitehaven News Facebook page for readers to try out once lockdown loosens.

These include The Strand, The Harbourmaster, The Yellow Earl, Number 11, Number 12 and Club 135.

1 THE STRAND, LOWTHER STREET, WHITEHAVEN

Comments from happy customers included: Liam Todhunter: “Brilliant atmosphere, great drink, fantastic staff and service”.

Isolde Marsland: “Class atmosphere, wonderful staff and an incredible selection of drinks, especially gins!!!! Can’t wait to get back in there!”

Izzy Lake: “Great atmosphere and lovely staff!! Can’t wait for it to open, favourite place in town”

Wayne Rayson: “Great atmosphere, lovely staff and an even better pint. Live entertainment and a quiz to keep the brain ticking over”

Scarlett Todhunter: “4 shots for £5, double up for an extra pound. Bargain prices given that it’s a beautiful chilled out environment. Perfect for date night drinks!”

2 THE HARBOUR MASTER COFFEE HOUSE AND BAR, WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR

Rosemary McGuinness posted: “The Harbour Master is our massive big miss, including our dogs that keep walking still to the door.”

Andrea Clare said: “Wonderful friendly owner and dog friendly plus outdoor seating! Cracking place.”

3 THE YELLOW EARL, LOWTHER STREET, WHITEHAVEN

Andrew Philip Barton posted: “Can’t beat the Earl for live music, good crack and cold pint.”

Malcolm Campbell said: “The Harbour Master and The Strand, then Yellow Earl on the way home.”

4 NUMBER 11 RESTAURANT AND BAR AND COCKTAILS AT 12, MARKET PLACE, WHITEHAVEN

Gayle Faragher posted: “Cocktails Number 12 food number 11 x amazing food and what they done during the lockdown for key workers has been outstanding”

Andrea Dougan agrees and said: “Cocktails at 12! Lovely, friendly, chilled atmosphere and then number 11 for food of course then back to cocktails at 12! Cannot wait!”

5 CLUB 135, TANGIER BUILDINGS, WHITEHAVEN

Rhianne Barwise posted: “Club 135, can’t wait.”

This view is also felt by Jaden Gill, who said: “Club 135. Can’t wait to go back.”