Chesterfield town centre has reopened – and you’re being urged to shop local

Non-essential retailers across England have today been able to resume trading with safety measures in place after the Government relaxed lockdown restrictions after 13 weeks.

MORE: 6 business trends we expect from the coronavirus pandemic

Chesterfield bosses say it was ‘great’ to see so many shoppers turn out to support the town's businesses.

Eighty-five per cent of the stores in Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre have now reopened with the remainder set to follow over the next few weeks.

Sarah Bowler, office administrator and commercialisation coordinator at the shopping centre, said: “All of the retailers at Vicar Lane have been working very hard to implement measures that make it as safe as possible for everyone.

“As well as social distancing measures, some stores are providing hand sanitising stations or are offering appointment-only shopping.

“Additionally, some are operating reduced opening hours.”

Laura Jo Owen, owner of Adorn Jewellers in the Shambles, is promising her customers a ‘celebrity’ shopping experience.

She said: “We’ve been chatting to our customers via social media throughout lockdown so that has helped us understand how they want to shop with us.

“They don’t want to queue and wait around to get into the shop which is why we’ve introduced an appointment only system to Adorn.

“Whether purchasing or not, we want people to not feel pressured and have the shop to themselves – a celebrity shopping experience!

“We’re more than happy for customers just to browse and have a catch up with us – we've missed them.”

Ashgate Hospicecare is undertaking a phased reopening of its shops and donation centres over a three-week period.

It has installed Perspex screens on the tills in its shops and also removed and condensed displays to enable people to observe the two-metre rule.

Laura Evans, of the hospice, said: “One thing that hasn’t changed in all our shops, however, is the warm and friendly welcome.

“We can’t wait to welcome staff, volunteers and customers back.”

Chesterfield Borough Council has introduced safety measures around the town centre, including putting up signs advising people where to queue outside individual shops.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It’s great to see so many people back in the town centre as we look to restart our local economy.

“We know that many of you will have spent the last three months shopping online – but now is your chance to come back to the town centre, indulge in some retail therapy and support Chesterfield businesses by shopping local.

“The town centre has so much to offer.

“From national retailers to small independent stores and of course our outdoor market and Market Hall, there really is something for everyone.

Dom Stevens, manager of the town’s marketing group Destination Chesterfield, added: “The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable.”

MORE: Full list of shops that will reopen in June - from John Lewis to Boots and Primark

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