'It's fantastic to be back' - Wakefield shops reopen as lockdown begins to lift

Wakefield’s shopping centres were full of people this week as non-essential retailers were allowed to open their doors for the first time in almost three months.
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Thousands of shoppers could be seen in the city centre, as clothes stores, home shops and more returned to business.

Many businesses had faced weeks of preparations to ensure that their shops were ready to welcome customers, and many large stores have dedicated queuing systems in place.

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Tania Howe, who runs Betty Loves Candles, said: “It was a shock going into lockdown, it happened all of a sudden. I tried to keep myself busy by keeping in touch with my customers by doing Facebook.

Wakefields shopping centres were full of people this week as non-essential retailers were allowed to open their doors for the first time in almost three months.Wakefields shopping centres were full of people this week as non-essential retailers were allowed to open their doors for the first time in almost three months.
Wakefields shopping centres were full of people this week as non-essential retailers were allowed to open their doors for the first time in almost three months.

“It’s gone quite quickly. I’m glad to be back. I had people straight in the door, it’s literally been one in one out.

“Atmosphere is fantastic, people are ready for it.

“They’re coming in, smelling the fragrances, it’s lifting the spirits and it’s just been marvellous, fantastic.

“I’ve put a notice outside ‘ring my bell’ so I can judge whether to let them in if I’m too busy. There’s a one way system if there’s more than two people in, I’ve got the distance markers.

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“Everything’s within the government guidelines, I’ve got plenty of hand sanitiser and even a mask when and if I need it. I’m prepared and I think we just have to adapt depending on the customer.”

Some shoppers had concerns about social distancing, particularly on busy days.

One said: “The shops have done things to distance it, but the customers aren’t.

“It’s normal when you get in the shop, no one’s really distancing. I think people just don’t care.

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“Me personally I’m not worried, but say someone else may be higher risk they might be a bit more worried.”

Trinity Walk stores that have reopened include Bonmarche, Burton, Claires, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Greggs, H&M, H.Samuel, JD, Lush Pandora, Post Office, Poundland, River Island, Sainsbury’s and Superdrug.

Stores that have reopened in The Ridings include Primark, Transform Images, Morgana & Hellraiser, Yours Clothing, Poundland, Niche Handbags, Wakefield Antiques. Made & Found in Yorkshire, Hype Menswear, and Home & More.

A popular bookshop in Horbury set to reopen under a new name is undergoing refurbishment .

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Darling Reads – formerly Rickaro Books – on High Street is hoping to open in July and is taking orders online.

Eats Sandwich Bar on Kirkgate in Wakefield city centre opened for take-out food earlier this month and is allowing two people in the shop at a time, standing two metres apart. There are floor markings down advising social distancing and hand sanitizer for customers.

The sandwich bar is offering 20 per cent off for emergency services workers.

Castleford’s Junction 32, which re-opened on Monday, warned customers to check online at the capacity of the centre before setting off.

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Jack Busby, director of retail operations at Landsec, which owns Junction 32, said safety for staff and customers was the number one priority and the centre was keeping an eye on the number of people allowed into the centre at any one point.

Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad-Khan said: “It’s fantastic to see businesses across the constituency starting to reopen and it is vital we shop locally as we enter into the recovery phase.

“For as long as social distancing measures are implemented, we will need further local stimulus measures in Wakefield to encourage footfall and get people into our town and city centres.

“As such, I continue to listen carefully to businesses to ensure their needs are met and I’m engaging constructively with Wakefield Council to ensure the right decisions are made in the interests of local businesses.”

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