Pubs and restaurants may well have reopened on Monday, but for many parents their biggest delight was getting back to soft play.
The indoor play centres have remained closed throughout most of the pandemic so it's been 14 months since the majority of children have been able to enjoy the climbing frames, trampolines and everything else they have to offer.
For Catalina Sastre, who owns Party and Play Funhouse in Westhoughton, it was a huge relief to welcome customers back through the doors.
With Bolton facing tougher restrictions than most areas, she's been able to open for just three days since the first lockdown last March.
She says the industry as a whole has been let down by the government, which she feels is a result of ignorance about what businesses actually exist.
With all the necessary safety measures in place - including temperature checks at the door, hand sanitisers around the building and capacity reduced to 50 per cent - she's hoping parents will feel confident enough to return.
"We've done everything we need to do to be safe," said Cat, whose centre also has a large outdoor section with climbing equipment, tunnels and seating areas.
"We're just so glad that we've finally been able to open after all this time."
She said the mental and emotional impact of the closure has been huge, not knowing what the future held and losing experienced staff along the way.
"I think there has been ignorance on the government's part of what businesses exist in the UK," she added. "We've been let down badly with a lack of support.
"I do hope parents will now feel able to return but I think it'll take 12 months before we see everyone feeling able to."
The fact she had to turn bookings away on day one due to demand is a good sign that families are feeling confident with the safety measures.
Mum Lisa Fogg was among those first through the doors on Monday morning with son Henry and said: "I've been desperate to come back, it's something to do with him isn't it, get him out - and he's loved it, he's full of energy.
"At first he was found it a bit scary and then, before you know it, he was running around, jumping on everything and getting involved."
Grandmother Janice Higginbottom was also there with granddaughter Charlotte Chapman, who turns three this week.
She said: "I've had both vaccines so I feel a lot safer now," she said. "I think they've done very well with the reopening. Everything is in place that needs to be like the temperature checks."
She and her husband mind Charlotte three days a week and they've been regular visitors at the centre over the years with their other grandchildren.
"They need to have these things open for the younger ones," added Janice, who lives in Westhoughton.
"It keeps them entertained as well and they need to exercise and enjoy themselves - there's only so much you can do in your own home."
Like most soft play centres, parents are now asked to book in advance of their visit, with many places letting you book online.
At Party and Play Funhouse, you're guaranteed a table for an hour and 40 minutes.
