Streets of St Peter Port come alive with eager shoppers

THE buzz was back on the streets of St Peter Port on Saturday as shoppers returned, with no queuing and no social distancing.

Although they did buy online, Emily Penney, 18, left, and Jess Payne, 23, were delighted to be able to try on clothes and shoes again before buying them. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 28385716)

Town was busy, due also to the many hundreds who turned up to the Black Lives Matter solidarity protest.

Creasey’s director Peter Creasey said it was fantastic to see Town buzzing with islanders again and staff were pleased to welcome back more customers.

‘I’ve been walking around the premises and staff have said to me that customers are happy, in a good mood and pleased to be out and about again.

Makeover time for Jenny Taberner at the skilled hands of Creasey’s Sara Kelly. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 28385750)

‘Of course Phase 5 means we don’t have to worry about limiting how many people are in the shops or having strict distances between people at the tills.’

He hoped after a long three months without normal high street shopping, islanders would be encouraged to journey into Town for their spending and continue the Guernsey Together message by supporting local businesses.

‘We have streamlined a few services during lockdown so there are definitely some things we’ve learned that we will take forwards with us, but for now it’s nice to get back to a sense of normality,’ he said.

Emily Penney, 18, and 23-year-old Jess Payne said they had done a fair amount of online shopping during lockdown, but with that comes a fair amount of sending things back.

Welcome to phase 5 from Balthazar staff, left to right, Erna Tamulynaite, Linas Bruzas and Ana Costa. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 28385756)

‘It’s nice to come back to town and see the High Street busy,’ Miss Payne said.

‘It makes a difference being able to walk around the shop, pick up items and try them on before buying them.’

At Guernsey Photographics, manager Dave Nash said it was great to see Town clearly busier and hoped it would continue.

‘I’m pleased to get back to normal.

Guernsey Photographics manager Dave Nash said deliveries had allowed the business to keep the computer side ticking over, but he was pleased to have things back to normal (28385714)

‘When retailers were able to carry out deliveries we made quite a few, which kept the computer side of the business ticking over, but there weren’t as many sales as normal.’

In the future, the shop is looking to continue a delivery service for those islanders who are still self-isolating or shielding.

Mr Nash added: ‘Guernsey seems to have done well in dealing with the pandemic, director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink has done a great job and the politicians have listened, which has been key.’