Some light at the end of the lockdown tunnel
‘To see the streets of our lovely city full of shoppers will be a fantastic sight’ – those were the words of Helen Marshall from Chichester BID this week.
On Monday, Prime
Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the steps for moving the country out of lockdown, starting with getting all children back into school in the week of March 8.
Writing to parents and carers this week, Joanne Mckeown, headteacher at Chichester High School, said it was ‘crucial’ to get children back to school with their friends, ‘learning well and thriving in all aspects of their lives’.
From April 12 at the earliest, all shops will be allowed to reopen, along with pubs and restaurants serving customers sitting outdoors.
Chichester’s MP, Gillian
Keegan said: “The Prime Minister has given all of us in Chichester hope, showing us the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Businesses have spoken about the prospect of reopening as the Government outlines its ‘roadmap’ for exiting lockdown.
Boris Johnson outlined a ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown on Monday, which consisted of four stages with five key dates of when measures can be lifted at the earliest.
Retailers will be able to reopen from April 12 at the earliest.
Dave Hockridge, owner of Present Surprise in South Street, said: “It’s good for businesses and good that they finally have a chance to reopen, as long as the numbers stay down before the shops reopen.
“If not, then the reopening should be put back further if the numbers call for it. We are excited for it. By the time we reopen we would have missed Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter – our three biggest dates behind Christmas.
“We have decorated and had a new floor put down so the shop is spick-and-span as soon as it reopens. Hopefully people will return to the high streets and appreciated how cheap the shops are in comparison to
the internet.”
Pubs, bars and restaurants could open on June 21 at the earliest, according to Mr Johnson’s roadmap.
Emily Rudd, manager of The Park Tavern in Priory
Road, said she was ‘hugely’ looking forward to being able to reopen.
“I want to get back to earning and seeing our customers and it has been sad with the pub just sat there empty.
“The longer it is, the harder it’s going to be with restrictions, hopefully there aren’t as many as before – we were really struggling. I am really looking forward to a pub quiz and customers being able to meet at the pub and socialise again.”
Emily added that, when the rules allow it, she hopes to be able to bring live music to the pub: “If we can’t have live music we can’t have a party!”
Personal care services are set to open from April 12.
Aimee Luckham, owner tattoo studio The Electric Lady in The Hornet, said: “We heard the announcement today but it is as confusing as all the others have been. It’s never clear but you get used to it.”
As previous lockdowns have been eased, The Electric Lady has been told it can open alongside gyms and indoor leisure rather than salons and barbers so Aimee and the team will decide on an opening date once they have more information, she said.
“I’m looking forward [to reopening]. It has been difficult. I love tattooing so much it has really made me miss it so I am super stoked to be able to do it again.”
Helen Marshall is the vicechair and CEO of Chichester BID.
She said: “We are thrilled that we now have the most welcome news that non essential retail and outdoor hospitality can open from April 12. We, here at Chichester BID, are working hard on ways we can welcome back our loyal customers in a safe and enjoyable way.
“To see the streets of our lovely city full of shoppers will be a fantastic sight and a much needed boost for all our brilliant businesses that trade in the city centre.”
MP for Chichester Gillian Keegan said: “Thanks to the remarkable efforts of so many we’re on target to vaccinate every adult by the end of July. As more of us become protected, the more normality can return.”