We’re back in
Delight as shops, pubs and gyms reopen
He said: “We are delighted to be open, it has been a difficult time for us and our customers.
“Our initial feeling is that we are going to be busy because there is definitely pent up demand for people who enjoy the shopping experience and like to physically see and touch the items.
“We thank our customers for their support during this difficult period but are now looking forward with a much more positive frame of mind to getting back to whatever kind of normalcy as we can.”
Lesley Dewar, who was on a “mission” to find a leaving gift for a friend yesterday, said while she was a little apprehensive about heading into town, she was happy she did.
“I’ve had a lovely experience today and the shop is so well laid out that that I’ve felt really comfortable,” she said.
Ewan MacDonald, from family business Houston’s said he was definitely seeing people shopping with more confidence.
He said: “The wedding season starts in April and runs to autumn, this year we expect bookings will steadily increase.
“And for communions, we are almost fully booked so it’s good to see people have more confidence [in these events going ahead and to see these bookings coming in.”
While lots of people headed straight to the nearest beer garden or shop, for some booking a training spot at the gym was much more important.
Free Fit in Paisley’s west end accepted seven new members within three hours of opening.
Owner Elaine Elliott told the Express the ability to train indoors with peers was just the therapy needed for those who have struggled with the Covid-19 lockdowns the most.
She said: “People may think we come here for vanity, or to look a certain way, but we come here because our social circle is here, and it gives us a drive and a focus which helps us massively with our mental health.
“The impact of lockdown on people’s mental health, from the strongest of us to those who have