Good evening,

 

News that some retailers will be able to re-open their doors from June 15 is welcome news to many and will see a kickstart to the local, regional,and national economy.

But nothing will ever  be quite the same again as we will have to get used to a new normal, in the biggest sea-change to our shopping habits in our lifetimes.

Shoppers will have to ‘exercise restraint’ in testing goods and trying on clothes. 

The touchy-feely submersion experience of shopping will be different for the foreseeable future. Shops themselves will have to reflect this in their layout and selling methods. Hygiene and distancing  will remain key.

Meanwhile as many businesses have pivoted to the web, so have we. 

Online shopping, already huge, has become the normal way to shop for many who previously would have taken the high street route.

Although massive change is inevitable, we must endeavour to support our high streets in coming months.

They are physically, economically and socially critical to our communities and we need them. 

So please support our local high street - hygienically.