Walkers Bookshop in Stamford and Oakham to reopen on June 1 after lockdown

Two town bookshops are set to reopen on Monday next week (June 1), helping to restart the high street economy.

Walkers Bookshops in Stamford and Oakham will be open weekdays and Saturdays with slightly reduced opening hours and social distancing measures.

Tim Walker, managing director, said: "I can’t wait to get back open again on June 1 and although we will be abiding by the social distancing regulations, we will be ready to welcome customers back into the shops.

"It feels very peculiar to have been closed for so long, because apart from the odd day when we have been closed for a shop re-fit, we have been serving our customers continuously in Oakham for 49 years and those in Stamford for 43.

"To have the lights turned off and doors closed just feels empty and wrong."

Tim thanked people in both towns for "their vociferous support of the bookshops".

"Whilst we have been closed I have been overwhelmed by kind messages of support from local people who really appreciate what we do," he added.

As the country went into lockdown, Walkers Bookshops were being geared up for Easter, and over the past few weeks £12,000 worth of the shops' Thornton’s chocolates and Easter eggs were donated to local charities and hospitals which have been supporting the community.

These included the foodbanks in Stamford and Oakham, the Evergreen Care Trust, Rutland Memorial Hospital, Stamford Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital.

"I have to say that although everyone was delighted with their eggs, the hardworking staff and nurses at Stamford Hospital were perhaps the most excitable!" said Tim.

"It does feel like the world is slowly returning back to normal, and it has to be a good sign that you can now have a wander into town on a Friday morning and call into Walkers for a copy of the latest Stamford and Rutland Mercury."

Walkers Bookshops will be open from Monday, June 1 on weekdays and Saturdays from 9am to 4.30pm.

Is your business reopening after lockdown? e-mail smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk