Hardware store Harrison and Dunn is among first shops in Stamford and Bourne to reopen following coronavirus lockdown

Harrison and Dunn hardware store reopened both its branches to customers this week.

The Stamford and Bourne shops have been opening since Tuesday (May 26) for reduced hours - between 8.30am and 4pm - giving staff time to restock the shelves and to clean thoroughly at the end of each day.

Paul Collins, who works at the Stamford branch, said: “Since reopening on Tuesday morning the response from customers has been absolutely fantastic.

“We’ve been really busy, while limiting the number of customers inside the shop to six at a time.

“Social distancing has worked well, although it does mean people might have to queue.

“So far we have had a queue of about 10 to 12 people outside the door waiting to come in, but they don’t seem to mind while the weather has been so good.”

Paul added that a member of staff is posted on each entrance to the shop - in Sheep Market and All Saints’ Street - which means there are fewer in the shop.

However, he added that this had helped with social distancing.

“The reduced opening hours means we have time at the end of each day to move around the shop to clean and restock the shelves without getting into other people’s space.

“It’s great to be back. After nine weeks, enough was enough!”

Under government guidelines, Harrison and Dunn was allowed to be open in May. Non-essential retail can open to customers from June 15.