Holbeach and Long Sutton traders are pleased to be welcoming back shoppers
Traders in Holbeach and Long Sutton say they are open and pleased to be welcoming back shoppers.
Shopkeepers were able to reopen their stores for the first time in three months after the Government lifted restrictions for non-essential stores yesterday.
Yvonne Porter-Smith, of Fabric Fae, says Holbeach has a lot to offer. She said: "It is great to be open.
"People should come, take the time to stop and walk down the street as they would be surprised."
New Holbeach store Irresistibles had welcomed in a number of people yesterday morning. Jacob Williams said: "It is great to see people out and about, walking down the street again."
Stephen Johnson, of Lets Get You Moving, said: "It is a very strange time and every exciting to welcome back our customers within the usual guidance
"We have seen dog walkers and workers but it is nice to see a few more faces to say hello."
Chris Back of Home and Antiques, said: "It is a bit daunting as we don't know what to expect. We don't know how people are going to shop now. But I am glad to be back."
Holbeach Wholefoods have been open throughout the lockdown and manager Helen Machin said that she has felt comfortable. She said: "People are following the one-way system and everyone tries to do the right thing."
Shopper Philip Reynolds said he makes a point of supporting shops in the town. He said: "I do feel safe and everyone is doing their best under difficult circumstances. It is easy to criticise but we are in a unique position."
Tom Juniper, who owns Cards and More, said: "It is good to be open again."
Holbeach Hospital League of Friends shop also opened up yesterday. Manager Jenny Spencer said: "We have had quite a few people coming in and out. We are really pleased to be open again and excited to be getting some money in for the hospital."
Over in Long Sutton, traders were also pleased to be open.
Pledgers owners Gill Wysoczanski said it was good to open the store again after working behind closed doors during lockdown.
She said: "We had a lot of support but it is nice to have everyone back. As soon as we opened, we had people coming in through the door."
Emma Lilley said her store Discount Diva was open throughout the lockdown. She said: "It is good that the town centre is open again and is nice for the community to get back to some sort of normality."
David Pateman, of Parkway, has been open since June 1 said the town was realistically busy yesterday with people observing social distancing.
He said: "I think we need to move on and people need to move on to the best of their ability.
"I want people to come back to the shop and use us but we are working as hard as we can but we are finding that there is some difficulty in obtaining stock from our suppliers but things are gradually improving."
Bamford Pet Supplies Elaine Davy said: "We were surprised to see the one way system as people have been respecting the social distancing."
Lyn Spendla of Scurffy Wuffy's Dog Groooming said: "The town is open and safe."
Nathaniel Woodward, who owns Woodward Confectionary, is hoping that people will continue to support smaller traders.
He said: "I could have closed my shop and operating online. It is time to come back and support local shops."
