Grand National week has arrived and there's an excitement in the air around Aintree.
The world's most prestigious horse racing event returns for three days from Thursday - and there is a buzz as you make the journey towards the iconic L9 racecourse. A road sign perched on nearby Warbreck Moor warns the iconic Grand National Avenue is closed in the lead up to the race, but assures passers-by that businesses remain "open as usual".
It's the first time this phrase can be applied to the famous sporting event since 2019 as the Grand National has looked a far cry from its "usual" self after years rocked by the pandemic. The event was scrapped altogether in April 2020 as the first wave of coronavirus surged across the UK.
READ MORE: Grand National 2022: Aintree couple look ahead to spectators returning
The government was in the early stages of the vaccine rollout at this time last year so the 2021 edition was staged behind closed doors. Aintree Racecourse is finally ready to open its doors once again this week - and the Jockey Club's regional director said he can't wait to welcome an estimated 150,000 people back to the track.
Dickon White told the ECHO: "It's particularly special this year because we haven't had spectators since 2019 and everybody in the team is gearing themselves up after a 12 month operation. It's about three days of excitement and fun. Not just here at Aintree, but also further afield. It is one of the truly iconic global sporting events that still exists and the whole of the North West benefits from this amazing event."
Dickon is originally from Cambridge and made the move to Liverpool 25 years ago to work for the Jockey Club before he "fell in love" with the region. He now lives locally to the racecourse - and spoke of his immense pride at how much the event boosts the local economy.
He added: "Seeing the hotels and bars really celebrating the Grand National meeting is great to see. It's also fantastic to see the benefits it has further down the chain to things like the barbers, hairdressers and nail salons. We don't take it for granted and it's a great privilege for us."
One of the pubs most synonymous with the event is the Queens at Aintree, which is located right next door to the racecourse. The pub is owned by the Blind Tiger Inns group - and estimates it takes around "8 - 10" times of its usual weekly income during the Grand National weekend.
The group had just completed a £100,000 refurbishment when the pandemic first hit - and the managing director described the period as "tough". Chris Tulloch told the ECHO: "As with all pubs, it was tough to get through the pandemic because you've got no income."
However, Chris said the refurbishment has eased the pub's reliance on the Grand National and is looking forward to welcoming racegoers again for the meeting's "unofficial afterparty". He added: "Every single one of us at the pub cannot wait. We've all got a special bond with the races now. We just love the buzz of seeing the streets and the road outside packed with smiling people."
Another of the local businesses looking forward to the increased footfall from Aintree is Franco's Ristorante, which is located just a few minutes away from the racecourse at the top of Melling Road. The Italian restaurant first opened in December 2020, but was forced to close just two weeks later as the government reintroduced lockdown restrictions.
Peter Cummins is the general manager of the restaurant and he told the ECHO about the battle to survive throughout the pandemic. He said: "Covid was a massive struggle, especially for an independent business like us. It was the constant challenge of wondering how long are we going to stay open for."
This year is the first time the restaurant will be open to experience the vibrant atmosphere the Grand National brings to Aintree. Franco's is offering champagne breakfasts from Thursday - Saturday and they will also be open after the races finish for drinks and takeaway pizzas.
Peter grew up in Altway near the racecourse - and he said the event brings a buzz to the community like nothing else. He added: "A business round this area can probably take in three days what it would usually do in three months so it's massive. Everyone in the area profits from the biggest steeplechase in the world.
"I think everyone who's lived in Aintree knows how important the race is to them. If you go on holiday, and you say you're from Aintree, the first thing people will always think about is the Grand National."
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