Following the latest round of lockdown easing, non-essential shops re-opened on 15th June bringing more people back to the town centre. Here, White Horse News talks to a few about how they are coping…
Gary Davies from Davies of Westbury said, “As an essential business we have been open throughout the pandemic and it has been hard work! Getting stock has not been easy, and there has been massive demand for things like fence paint and compost. We’ve had an increase in customers, and because of social distancing measures, this has led to queues outside.
“Over the last six weeks people have learned to get used to the ‘new normal’ and are happy to see things like barriers, screens and signs on the floor – it means more to them now. Initially it was an adjustment for people to get used to.
“We hope that people get behind local Westbury shops and businesses. It’s vital that we shop local to help keep the community alive. We are open for business – this ‘new normal’ is unlikely to go away, but it allows is to carry on and go about our lives.
“If you want our local businesses to thrive, and be here in the town, then you do need to support us. We have lots of great businesses in Westbury – so come on out, and come on into Westbury.
“What’s great about Westbury town centre is that it is never so busy that you can’t keep yourself safe, compared to larger towns and cities. Our High Street has lots of space, our shops are fairly well spaced – so it’s easy to keep to social distancing rules.”
Andrew Elliott from Elliott’s Traditional Butchers said, “We have been open throughout the lockdown period and the support from the community has been good. We took on an extra member of staff to help manage the demand, and also offered a home delivery service, which we hope to continue. Customers have adapted to the safety measures and everyone has been patient and willing to follow the new rules.
“It’s been great to see other shops opening back up on the High Street – it’s got the place moving again.
“It’s important that the community gets behind local businesses as if we don’t support each other, we will lose the High Street and it will become a ghost town.”
Vicky Rush from Mobility Works said, “We have been open throughout lockdown as we are an essential service – and it has been challenging. Business has been slower, but things are starting to pick up now as people become more confident about leaving their homes.
“To keep staff and customers safe, we have all the PPE and hand sanitiser available. And we have been allowing one family at a time into the shop.
“It’s massively important that the community gets behind local businesses – we all need to support each other. And by supporting local businesses, you are also supporting local employment, which is incredibly important.
“During the lockdown, people have learnt to appreciate what smaller local businesses can do for the community. More people have been buying local from places like the butcher and fruit and veg suppliers – the community has needed them, and it’s really raised awareness of what they can do. Hopefully this can continue post-lockdown.”
Eileen Harris from Quality Suites said, “Since re-opening to the public last week it has been pretty good – we have had good sales and lots of people coming in to browse.
“We have introduced a number of measures to keep staff and customers safe, including hand sanitiser and controlling the numbers of people in the warehouse – customers have to ring a bell to come in.
“We are lucky that the warehouse is quite big, so people can observe social distancing. Customers have been very good about the new procedures – people are accepting this ‘new normal’.
“It’s important that people support local businesses, otherwise we will end up losing them. We have been going for 30 years and we are grateful for all the support we have received – but now more than ever, it’s important that people shop local.”
