Life returns to the High Street as lockdown ends
CROWDS were back in the High Street yesterday.
While many were still using hand sanitiser, very few people chose to continue wearing a face covering, which is now optional.
The move to stage three of the exit from lockdown also saw many office workers heading back to their desks, which was good news for sandwich shop Fillers.
Owner Michelle Champion said the business had reopened two weeks ago, during stage two, but it was quite quiet.
‘It’s been nice and busy today,’ she said.
‘Everybody is really happy and cheerful and chatty. It’s nice to be back.’
Wink jewellery and gallery owner Lizzie Jarrold said while it had been busy around Mother’s Day, only now did Town feel busy.
‘There were many more people coming back into work this morning and there does seem to be a lot of people out and about,’ she said.
‘We’ve been busier today than last week.’
Land of Green Ginger had got in its spring stock when the island went into lockdown, which meant it was ready to go when the island reopened.
Sales assistant Caitlin Burgoine said a few customers had been in yesterday.
‘It’s been quite nice and there are more people out and about,’ she said.
‘It’s nice to see people again, especially without masks – it makes such a difference.’
She said that during stage two not many people were comfortable browsing, instead wanting a firm reason for visiting a shop. But that hesitation now seems to have fallen away and she said people had been looking through the new stock.
‘We are really excited to have people back,’ she said.
