LUDLOW is soon to take another major step towards something like a new normal.

The medieval castle in the town is set to reopen to visitors in just 10 days.

All being well the castle will open again on Monday, July 6.

This will provide an important boost to the town as the castle brings in many visitors from the West Midlands and the Welsh Marches.

The castle has announced its plans in a posting that came in the same week as the Government cut the social distancing limit from two metres to one.

This is the move that the hospitality and tourism sector had been waiting for and could prove to be a game changer.

But a future visit will be different with a one-way system to get in and out and to visit the tower.

Inside people will be able to go around freely whilst keeping social distancing.

The opening comes in time for the main holiday season although the venue has lost spring and early summer including the May Food Festival and Marches Transport Festival.

A decision has already been taken not to go ahead with the annual Ludlow Food Festival that is held over the second weekend of September in the grounds of Ludlow Castle.

Ludlow shops are now open again and there is a market most days of the week with social distancing rules.

It is expected that pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen again at the beginning of July with controls.

The castle announced its reopening in a post that promised visitors a safe experience.

It said: ‘We are really happy to tell you that the gates to our stunning medieval castle will be open once again from Monday, July 6.

‘We have been working really hard behind the scenes to ensure the castle is safe for you all and ask that you adhere to the social distancing measures that are in place.

‘There is now a one-way system to get in and out of the castle and only one viewing tower is open but once you are in the inner bailey you can wander freely around keeping to the standard social distancing.

‘We promise that your visit to us will still be really special with picnic benches properly spaced and we can’t wait to see you all. We will be open from 10am seven days a week. See you all soon!’

However, there is no date for the reopening of Ludlow’s historic St Laurence Church that is the biggest visitor attraction in the town.

But it is hoped that the church and other local attractions such as: the Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross, Stokesay Castle and Stokesay Court, the Acton Scott working farm, the Discovery Centre and Museum of Lost Content, both in Craven Arms, will be able to reopen soon.

It will be easier for outdoor venues to reopen as the virus is harder to transmit outside and is also less easily spread in the summer than winter months.