LESS than two hours after Thompson's announced it would be re-opening for a few select dates next year, the restaurant was fully booked ­— such is the demand for fine dining in Newport.

Thompson's, on Town Lane, will open its doors again for a few lucky, loyal customers, who were quick to book a table.

"The restaurant isn't opening up five days a week," said Robert Thompson.

"But we are opening for five dates in January and February.

"We're kind of running it in tandem with You Be Chef, sending boxes of food directly to customers.

"Everything is very different now to what it was before, hence why I started You Be Chef on day one of being told to close the restaurant.

"The at-home boxes have basically kept my business alive, so I was very cautious about stopping them and going straight back to the norm.

"I don't think the norm exists anymore.

"I'm concious that a lot of our customers miss dining in, and You Be Chef isn't for everyone, but we've had customers from all over ordering our food, from Scotland to Cornwall to London.

"I'm really excited to be opening up the restaurant again on these five dates, though, to say hello to guests I haven't seen for a very long time.

"I wasn't expecting to be fully booked so quickly, and I'm very grateful for that.

"These five date are a massive thank you to the people who have bought our food boxes and just kept in touch.

"It's also a pat on the back for all my staff, who are so passionate and love what they do.

"There may well be other dates, but at the minute, it's difficult to really know what is happening in the world.

"I love cooking for people, but you've got to make sure you can pay your staff and run a viable business.

"Last time, we went back into lockdown and I lost £5,000 worth of stock. The grants and furlough were brilliant, but they can't go on forever.

"You've got to take a slightly cautious approach."