VIDEO: Shoppers flock back to town centre as lockdown is relaxed

Shoppers flocked back to Castleford today as restrictions were relaxed to allow non-essential shops to finally re-open.
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With the sun shining, the town centre appeared to be bustling with people eager to take advantage of the new-found freedom after months of lockdown.

Pontefract seemed to be less busy, but queues were still evident outside some of the high street shops.

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Elaine Evans, who runs a shoe stall on Castleford's Carlton Street said: "There's more people about and on the whole, people are being sensible.

Castleford was bustling this afternoon.Castleford was bustling this afternoon.
Castleford was bustling this afternoon.

"We are glad to be back and to see everybody again, It's nice that they haven't forgotten us!"

"Slowly but surely people are coming back."

While two-metre-apart queues were evident at some of the shops, precautions were also being taken at the town's indoor market which opened for the first time today since the lockdown.

Customers were encouraged to sanitise before entering the building, with a one-way system in place.

Pontefract appeared less busy than neighbouring Castleford, but there were still some queues.Pontefract appeared less busy than neighbouring Castleford, but there were still some queues.
Pontefract appeared less busy than neighbouring Castleford, but there were still some queues.
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Shopper David Greenwood, who lives in the town, was queuing to enter the market and said: "It's good that it's open again, we need to get back to normal but people need to keep their distance. Some are not doing that.

In Pontefract, a number of the businesses in the town's indoor market had remained open throughout the lockdown, including News Affair newsagents, which is known locally as The Kiosk.

Sharon Ward, who runs the business said: "It's not been easy, it's been very challenging.

"We've had loyal customers coming back to us, but it's been a lot busier today than it has been.

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"We need that incentive so we can keep going, but people need to be wary and be responsible."

Denise Warner, who runs the fancy dress stall in the market, Additions, was back open again today after three months on lockdown.

Wearing a facemask, and despite her livelihood at stake, she had reservations about re-opening.

She said: "To be honest, I think it's a bit too soon. We are getting of people coming through but they are not sticking to it (the distancing rules)."

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