Cautious welcome to reopening after lockdown from Alnwick shoppers

Although business was steady rather than spectacular as non-essential businesses reopened their doors to customers, the move has been cautiously welcomed.

Jenny Robinson said: “I think it’s good providing they keep everyone safe. Businesses have to keep going somehow and so do the public while being sensible.

“But some think it’s too early because they are fearful of what might happen if it goes wrong.”

Jacqueline Purvis added: “They really want us back into the shops but I just don’t know if it’s too quick or not.”

She felt the safety measures introduced in shops can work.

“I think they’re good if they’re kept like that but there are shops I’ve been in where people have been too close,” she said.

It wasn’t just local shoppers out and about on the streets on Monday morning.

Brian Roffe and Julie Lee-Roffe travelled from Sunderland for the reopening of Barter Books.

“We’ve always enjoyed coming here and were looking forward to coming once we heard it was reopening again,” said Brian. “We enjoy coming to Alnwick and we always stop off here.”

They were happy with the safety measures in place.

“There was hand sanitiser on the door to use on the way in and on the way out so there were no problems,” said Julie.

“There was plenty of signage so everyone knew what they were doing. Everyone was giving everyone else a wide berth so we felt quite safe.”

Coun Peter Broom of Alnwick Town Council, said: “It’s a massive day for Alnwick and I am so pleased to see the town coming back to life again.

“However, everyone has just got to keep their distance and keep everyone safe because we want to keep our town special.

“There are some issues with potential problems, certainly on Bondgate Within with queues covering the path outside the likes of Boots and Yorkshire Trading. I am a bit concerned about people from Greenwell Lane having to pass through them but we’ll have to wait and see.

“The best thing would be to close off Bondgate Within and just make it pedestrianised for the time being.”

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