Shoppers and business owners make the most of first day out of full lockdown in Worksop

Worksop residents and business owners embraced the first day out of full lockdown as pub gardens, shops, gyms and hairdressers opened their doors.
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For Jayne Otter, owner of House of Elegance at the top of Bridge Street, opening the doors to her business on Monday morning was a surreal moment.

Jayne who launched the business 30 years ago said: “I’ve been shut for the bulk of the year and it’s been a really tough year so it was a surreal moment to be reopening to customers after all this time.

"Customers have been so desperate to get into the shop and customers seemd really happy to back in the shop but also a little bit stressed because a lot of people don’t have much time to get an outfit sorted before a wedding or big occassion. I have one lady booked in who has just five weeks until her wedding and doesn’t have anything to wear yet.

Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.
Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.

"I’ve got appointments booked in everyday, apart from Thursday when I’ll be closed, I’m taking bookings on Sunday and Wednesday evenings and opening late for appointments on a Saturday to try and fit everyone in.

"It’s nice to see life moving on and a bit of normality returning.”

Helen Parry, owner of Carlton House Vintage, Arts and Craft Centre will fully reopen on April 27 but until then will be offering tearoom outdoor table service from its courtyard from 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

The courtyard has been transformed into a ‘staycation courtyard’ with a seaside feel and residents couldn’t wait to enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake in somewhere other than their own home.

Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.
Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.

"Customers are chomping at the bit to get in the shops and come along and enjoy a coffee. We have a £5 lunch deal available and plenty of outdoor seating and we are looking forward to welcoming customers back.”

Meanwhile it was a busy first morning back for staff at Lync Active Gym in Bridge Place, Worksop.

Lync Active Gym owner Joe Smith said: “We were a little bit apprehensive about what to expect again after all this time but people were chomping at the bit to come back and restore some part of their normal routine, we’ve had a busy morning sorting people’s memberships out again but things have run smoothly and we are eager and excited to build on the progress we made during lockdown.

"For us lockdown was a major turning point it was the best thing for us because it gave us the time to invest time and money into the business, upgrade everything and refurbish and to find out identity and grown our clientbase.

Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.
Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.

"We were really busy in lockdown adding more services, providing free online content to engage with local people, offer that one to one service and build our client base.”

During lockdown the team have expanded and also added another facility a boxing gym at Manton Sports.

"We’ve had a lot of great feedback during lockdown and have helped a lot of people going diffuclt times by helping them focus on their mental and physical health and give them a focus.

"We’re excited to build on this now we are back open.”

Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.
Shoppers flocked to Worksop town centre after lockdown measures were eased on Monday.

Jane Wetherill, general manager at the Bannatyne health club Worksop, said: “We’ve had an absolutely brilliant day welcoming our members back to the health club. Everyone is just so pleased to be back, and it’s been a lovely atmosphere.

“The club has got lots of Covid procedures in place to keep members safe, including social distancing, hand sanitising stations and enhanced cleaning, mask wearing when not actually exercising, lots of signage throughout the club and temperature checking on entry.

“We are also offering all members the opportunity to take part in ‘Start Smart’, to help ease them back into exercise and create an effective and long-lasting health and fitness journey with expert advice and guidance from our fitness professionals throughout their membership.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Sam Jackson, editor.

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