Delivering much needed services despite restrictions

THANKFULLY, the constraints of full lockdown are easing, and our local businesses have adapted to still provide essential services to the public throughout the unprecedented crisis.

Businesses made the necessary changes, and customers also changed the way they shopped, in order to keep life on track as much as possible, whilst keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Some businesses won’t survive the crisis, however the good will and dedication of people in the North East have meant most will come out of this emergency, bloodied but unbowed.

Supermarket and post office staff have been working hard throughout the lockdown, coping with a huge increase in demand while also striving to observe the necessary social distancing rules.

Business ownershave gone above and beyond the call of duty to continue provide services, whether this means erecting Perspex windows to protect staff members, providing delivery services or taking their business online.

From local corner shops to supermarkets, takeaway food to petrol garages, owners and staff have ensured they can continue to provide the best possible service to the public.

The past number of weeks has seen everyone in the community adapt to a new way of living and, where once we took eating out, doing the weekly shop and treating ourselves to some new clothes or coffee and cake – and especially a haircut or blowdry - these days people have had to adjust to what has become the new normal”

With an accelerated roadmap to normality well underway, it won’t be long until the lockdown days will be a chapter in the history books, and a story to fascinate our grandchildren.

From takeaway meals offered by your favourite restaurant to ordering plants for your garden online, local companies have proved they have the resilience to deliver much needed services despite the Coronavirus restrictions.