Safety measures help ensure smooth reopening for Amble businesses

A number of temporary changes have been introduced in the town centre to encourage social distancing, including a one-way pedestrian system on Queen Street.

Stickers reminding people of social distancing rules were placed on pavements, street furniture, bus stops and pinch points, with parking suspended in three bays outside Tesco.

Willie Mole, who runs clothing store Lady Milly with his wife, Val, from a pod at Amble Harbour Village, said: “People are being very cautious when they come to the pods. They’re small so you can only get one customer at a time so you get people sticking their head in the door to check if it’s clear.

“Monday was very quiet but Tuesday was a bit busier and we are seeing a lot more people moving about in Amble now.”

Norma Arthur, who owns Amble Pin Cushion on Queen Street, thinks it is still too early to give a definitive answer.

“I think the general public are probably finding it all a bit frustrating, but our health has to come first,” she said.

“We have been serving from the door or having some afternoon booked 1:1 browsing appointments, although still promoting minimal touching during those.

“This is really for people who need support to make choices or to have time looking through patterns, fabric and yarn.

“We can still do alterations, but not fittings.”

She added: “We have reduced our opening hours as we need to spend more time setting up in the morning with cleaning procedures and checking emails and browsing bookings.

“Only one member of staff is on at a time, in order that we can maintain social distancing, and they have seamstressing to do when the shop isn’t open.”

The shop has been taking phone and web orders throughout the lockdown period to ensure residents have access to craft supplies.

It has also reduced the minimum spend on cards to encourage contactless payments.

Its laundry and dry cleaning service starts up next Tuesday.

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