Kentish Express Ashford & District
Shoppers out in force as town reopens after third lockdown
Ashford’s streets came back to life this week as lockdown measures were eased.
Since December 19, Kent has been heavily restricted by Tier 4 rules followed by the national lockdown.
However Monday saw the second step in the government’s roadmap out of Covid, and many didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get out of the house.
Perhaps the key feature of the day was the reopening of pubs, bars and restaurants and thankfully the morning’s snow subsided and was replaced by a warming sunset.
Among the big attractions on the night were Ashford’s Wetherspoon – The County Hotel – and The Glass House in the Lower High Street, whose outdoor seating was filled way into the evening.
Also high on people’s list was a bit of sprucing up, after months of not having haircuts or visiting a nail salon.
Queues formed outside each of the town’s hairdressers and beauty parlours, and remained there into the evening.
Retail therapy was on everyone’s mind, with droves going down to the town centre and Ashford Designer Outlet.
In Park Mall, Kati Ramsden opened the doors of Bare Bazaar for the first time, filling the former Snap Jewellery unit.
Offering unpackaged food, as well as sustainable cleaning products and items, the new businesswoman called her first day a great success.
She said: “It was a slow-ish start as everyone just wanted to get their haircuts, but by the end of the afternoon it was quite overwhelming.
“Everyone seemed quite upbeat generally, it feels like an end is finally coming to what we’ve all endured over the last year.
“Obviously we’re all still masked, socially distanced and allowed limited numbers in the shop but there was such a feeling of positivity.”
The nearby YMCA shop proved particularly popular with seemingly at least one customer at any given time.
One person to visit the store during the day was Stephanie Chapman, YMCA’s retail area manager for the south east.
“So far, this has been the easiest opening as we know what is expected because of Covid, as do our customers,” she said.
“The volunteers have been chomping at the bit to get back in and it seems as if it’s been well-received.
“It’s going to be a great week for retail in general, with both the staff and shoppers being really excited for the slight return to freedom.”
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