Small traders describe ‘brilliant’ day as shops reopen in Buxton town centre

Though some traders spoke of ‘anxiety’ about starting again while working under Covid-19 safety guidelines owners told how there was ‘real support’ for independent traders in the town.

Under the terms of the Government’s three-stage plan to ease lockdown restrictions all shops are now allowed to reopen.

However PM Boris Johnson has stressed it is ‘vital’ traders meet coronavirus safety guidelines.

Many shops are limiting the number of customers in their premises at any given time - meaning queues forming outside.

While other precautions such as separate entry and exit doors, hand-cleaning stations and one-way systems have also been put in place.

Linda Maguire, of gift shop Atticusboo, described business on Monday as ‘better than expected’ - saying ‘so many people said they were going to shop local from now on’.

She said: “It really was music to my ears because you worry that everyone’s gone on the internet now and will never come back.

“But this just goes to show how people go to little shops for a chat - to be sociable.”

Owner Linda - who served customers outside from a counter inside the doorway of her ‘small’ shop - said ‘it’s working really nicely’.

She said: “People come and tell me what they need and this way I can make sure all the stock is clean.

“I know part of the magic in a shop like this is not knowing what you’re going to find but because we have no customers inside they get a really nice view of the shop.

“Once you’re at the counter it’s like your own personal shopping experience - it was kind of fun.”

Linda told how many other tenants at Cavendish Arcade where she is based had been ‘worrying’.

She said: “I didn’t sleep at all the night before because I was worrying whether I had the right idea but it was so lovely - it was a really good day.”

Kelly Coles-Evans, of Hargreaves and Sons homeware, said Monday was ‘brilliant’ - with a six-people-only at one time policy meaning queues outside at one stage.

He said: “It was a very positive day - I think a lot of people are shopping locally to avoid large cities and department stores.

“There’s going to be a move towards people taking days out instead of going on holiday this summer.

“We’re in a beautiful town where people can enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery - so this is a double-win for us.”

Kelly told how he expected safety measures - including floor markers - to create ‘pushback’ but he added: “We had to ask people to queue but they were happy to do so - it was brilliant.”

Kate Emery, of Jantar Jewellery, said she had been unsure about whether to open on Monday but added ‘I had a few sales so I’m glad I did’.

She added: “There was a steady flow of people through the arcade - which was nice to see.”

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