Chris with club chairman Steve and assistant managers Laura and Ben
Westbury sprang back into life at the weekend with the return of its hairdressers, barbers, pubs, restaurants and cafés following the lifting of more lockdown restrictions.
In what was dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could re-open after a lockdown of three months.
Carole Musker at The Horse and Groom, Alfred Street, told White Horse News, “It was wonderful to see everybody again – there was a real jolly and happy atmosphere in the pub, despite social distancing. And it was great to see the regulars chatting – some had not seen each other for months!”
Chairman of Westbury Conservative Club, Steve Jones added, “The weekend was a good steady trade and our members have been brilliant in taking to the measures that have been put in place. The atmosphere, especially Sunday, was great, with everyone chatting and laughing and making fun and light of the restrictions, but following them.”
Ashley Humphries from Barbershop by AJH on Westbury’s High Street, said, “We are excited to be back! And I think Westbury is excited too, as within half a day of the government announcing that we could reopen, we were fully booked for our first weekend back! And we have been steadily booking up the rest of the weeks that followed. See full story on page 2.
Giovanni from Giovanni’s Barber Shop, Maristow Street, said, “I was nervous at first, but it went superbly well. Clients were very grateful to see me on the day, and were very generous – it was a heartfelt return.”
Support local businesses!
Although relieved to be back open, most pubs and salons face a difficult time.
They have had to spend a lot of money on making their businesses safe to prevent any spread of the virus. Pubs have introduced social distancing measures while restricted numbers and table service have increased costs. Salons have introduced safety measures with PPE for staff, a full clean between each client and reduced capacity due to social distancing.
And as part of its ongoing campaign, the White Horse News is encouraging the community to continue its support for local businesses, helping them to get back on their feet.
Editor of White Horse News, Ian Drew said, “Our businesses have gone the extra mile to ensure that they can make a safe return to the heart of our community. It’s never been more important to support them to help kick-start the local economy and protect jobs.”
Stay alert, act responsibly
As life continues to return to a ‘new normal’ in the town, local authorities have urged the community to remain ‘alert’ to the potential spread of coronavirus and act responsibly when visiting businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, by observing social distancing measures in place.
Prior to ‘Super Saturday’, fearing an excited rush to local pubs, Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police warned the community of their responsibilities to help control the virus.
But fears appeared to go unfounded with no arrests made in Westbury and police reporting only one incident in the town.
“We were called to a disorder at The Railway Inn at 3.30pm on Saturday,” said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police. “Officers arrived but there was no serious disorder and the group had dispersed.”
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard of Wiltshire Police added, “The majority of people behaved responsibly this weekend and adhered to the government’s guidelines – drinking sensibly and sticking to social distancing guidelines.
“I am pleased to say we made no arrests in Westbury in relation to the easing of the lockdown this weekend.
“It was only the minority of people who caused a few problems across the whole of the county and those issues were few in number.”
