Shoppers flock back to high street stores
Queues form outside clothing outlets and salons as Covid rules eased
SHOPPERS in the Westcountry headed back to the high street as coronavirus restrictions were relaxed yesterday.
Queues formed early outside stores, including Primark outlets in Barnstaple and Truro, with branches extending opening hours. Hairdressers were also busy as customers lined up at popular barbers and salons in Penzance and Torpoint, among other towns in Devon and Cornwall.
Police were also on patrol in high streets and retail parades yesterday, including Plymouth city centre, as scores of people rushed to town to go shopping, get a drink in an outdoor beer garden for the first time in months, despite chilly temperatures, or to have their hair cut.
One mum standing in a line of 13 people just after 9am outside a Torpoint hairdressers joked: “It’s the hottest ticket in town.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as life took another step back towards normality, with indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos also welcoming customers back.
Retail analysts Springboard said that footfall across all retail destinations in the UK was up 116% by 3pm yesterday, compared to the same time a week ago, but the British Beer and Pub Association estimates that just 40% of licensed premises have the space to reopen for outdoor service.
Despite the relaxation in lockdown rules, social mixing indoors remains restricted, with around two in five adults yet to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The fanfare for the easing of rules has also been muted by national mourning following the death of Duke of Edinburgh.
SHOPPERS flocked to high streets yesterday and drinkers downed pints as coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as life took another step back towards normality, with indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos also welcoming back customers.
People in Wales were also enjoying renewed freedoms, with non-essential retail reopened and border restrictions eased to permit travel again with the rest of the UK and Ireland.
Snow showers and cold breezes made al fresco socialising a chilly prospect in parts of southern England, but at the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, reportedly the biggest pub in the country, thirsty customers cheered as pints were served.
As Pippa Ingram, 51, received the first drink to be poured, she said: “Absolutely delicious. It’s not going to last long at all! That’s banging!”
The Oak Inn in Coventry opened its doors shortly after midnight, with marquees, heaters and blankets for customers in the large beer garden – but council officials are investigating after videos posted on social media showed more than 100 people queuing outside.
In Birmingham, a long queue developed outside the city centre Primark store before it opened its doors.
Retail analysts Springboard said that footfall across all retail destinations in the UK was up 116% by 3pm yesterday compared to the same time a week ago. London’s main shopping streets saw around 44% of the pre-pandemic level of April visitors, slightly up on expectations.
Despite the relaxation in lockdown rules, social mixing indoors will remain heavily restricted, with around two in five adults yet to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and the vast majority yet to get both.
Mr Johnson said: “I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘Hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme.”
The need for continued vigilance was underlined by former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, who highlighted a surge in cases in Chile despite a successful vaccination campaign. He told Sky News: “From the point of view of the population itself, we’re all dying to get out of lockdown. From the point of view of the epidemic, I think it’s all a little bit more worrying.”
He added: “Chile is a country where the rate of vaccination amongst the population was third-highest in the world, they were ahead of us in terms of the number of people who have had the vaccine, and they’re suddenly now into a third wave.”
Modelling by Government advisers in the UK has suggested yesterday’s relaxation will not result in a surge of cases that would put pressure on the NHS, but it is “highly likely” there will be a further resurgence in hospital admissions and deaths after subsequent steps along the road map out of lockdown.
Mr Johnson postponed his celebratory pint, although he found time for a haircut, and Government communications have been pared back to essential messages after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death last Friday at the age of 99.
Secret Spa co-owner Emily EwartPerks, who opened up her beauty company’s at-home salon services for clients at midnight, said yesterday’s bookings were set to double the company’s best-ever day to date. She added: “It’s so amazing. It’s just been such a long time coming.”
In England, pubs and restaurants have been making changes during lockdown to maximise their ability to serve customers outside, but the British Beer and Pub Association estimates that just 40% of licensed premises have the space to reopen for outdoor service.
The next significant date is May 17, when socialising indoors will be permitted under the “rule of six”, if the vaccination programme is safely breaking the link between infections and deaths.