Once a year the population of Aintree swells as racegoers travel from across the country for the Grand National.
The world's most prestigious horse racing event returns on Thursday for its third running since being scrapped altogether in April 2020 as the first wave of coronavirus surged across the UK.
On average, over 150,000 people attend the world's greatest race over the course of three days, and businesses in Aintree wait eagerly all year for the cash injection that comes as the punters flow in.
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Last time out the effects of covid were still being felt and attendees were taking their first tentative steps back into the world of racing. Now, covid is much less of a pressing concern, with many businesses feeling a burden has been lifted from their shoulders.
One business 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.
Peter Cummins, general manager of the restaurant, said: "It was our first race last year. It was amazing, we got a mix of locals and people coming from out of town. I feel like more people are going to get out this year, we are totally out of covid now.
"It was finally great to see people coming through the door and enjoying themselves. We are not changing anything this year - you don't change a winning formula."
Peter was brought up in Aintree and said he understands how important the Grand National is to the area. Franco's is offering champagne breakfasts from Thursday to Saturday and though normally a restaurant, tables will be making way for the unofficial dancefloor.
Peter, 34 said: "At the end of the day businesses are working all year around to get ready for the races because they just know it is a money maker. Everything shuts down waiting for it.
"The excitement and buzz that it brings to the area is amazing. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some and people travel from all over the world to see it. I’m just lucky I live so close."
Further up on Walton Vale is the newly opened Rooney's American Sports Bar and Grill. While they're a ten-minute walk from the racecourse, they are expecting heavy footfall over the next three days. Manager Nicolas Strauss has experience with race days as before moving to Liverpool, he ran a restaurant in Cheltenham.
He said: "Cheltenham is a small town whereas Liverpool is a big city in comparison. I sort of know what to expect but when I was there it was pre-covid and almost simpler times.
"In terms of how to prepare for it, it is a bit of a nightmare. We have to plan for staff and make sure we stock up. There is also alternative staffing, for example, DJs and door security that all add to the cost. There is a lot of capital outflow at the beginning without really knowing what it is going to be like."
This is the first year that Nicolas and his staff will get to experience Aintree. The 37-year-old said he has to put "everything on the back seat" for the run-up to the races.
He added: "We have a lot of promotions on normally but we are having to suspend them all for the races, so everything changes. This a big space so we have to do our best to get people through the door. I don't think it will be a problem, the races can be money makers.
"We try and bridge ourselves between being a restaurant and a bar, some that are restaurants will be going into full bar mode. We will still be serving food but everything will be coming out in plastic containers. Generally, it is just a bit of a crazy one."
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 "eight to 10" times its usual weekly income during the Grand National weekend.
Managing director Chris Tulloch told the ECHO last year: "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."
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