THE sun shone on Stourbridge this morning as non-essential shops in the town welcomed back customers after the longest of lockdowns.
Retailers, coffee shops, pubs, gyms and hair salons were getting back to business today after many months of lockdown.
The town looked busy, with the bright and sunny weather having enticed shoppers out.
Outside Coffee#1 in The Ryemarket people were enjoying an al fresco cuppa; there were queues outside men's barbers shops and a packed schedule for hairdressers welcoming back customers long over due a trim.
Re-opening day was particularly exciting for mother and daughter team Louise Caddick and Steph Mantom, at VIPS in the town centre, who have taken over the lease on their Coventry Street premises.
The pair had decorated their salon with spring daffodils - a symbol of hope, renewal and rebirth - to celebrate the re-opening.
Lou told the News: "People keep asking if we're excited, but we don't know how to feel. It's a tough one, we're glad to finally be back at work and so looking forward to seeing all our lovely customers again.
"We also feel relieved that we know all our customers feel safe and looked after when they do come in to our salon as we make sure we follow all rules and guidelines to the max.
"But, we have been here before, and as much as we want to be positive, upbeat and hope this is the last time we have had to close, there's no guarantee of that.
"It's had a massive impact on us financially and mentally at times but we are very, very lucky.
"We have amazing, loyal customers who have supported us every step of the way."
The pair say they will be working very long days to catch up on all the appointments regular customers have missed since January and Lou added: "The fact that it's all ours now we've re-opened the doors - makes it just that little bit more special."
A good many eateries and pubs across the Stourbridge area have also been welcoming back customers today - with Black Country Ales celebrating the launch of the new-look Starving Rascal at Amblecote and the team behind the new Lockside Steakhouse in Enville Street, Stourbridge, delighted to be able to open today after many months getting the new business ready.
David Harcourt, president of Stourbridge Chamber of Trade, said: "It was good to see quite a few shops open and that the lights are on. Hopefully that will start to grow and people will start to venture out."
New Ryemarket shopping centre manager Aaron Powell, who has been working in the shopping centre management industry for the last 11 years, said he was "thrilled to see all non-essential retail and hospitality reopen today" and he told the News: "We’ve been busy at the Ryemarket welcoming back our retailers who have been hibernating for the past three months.
"It’s wonderful to see all our colleagues again as well as our customers out and about; shopping, pampering, grabbing a coffee, visiting the gym, supporting their local high street and most importantly staying safe.
"Covid secure measures were introduced at the Ryemarket last year including; hand sanitisers when entering and leaving the centre, queuing spots, the removal of fixtures within the public areas including benches to give customers more space to move throughout the centre, and of course face coverings whilst indoors for those who are able to wear them. I’m pleased to see our returning customers following these rules."
Has your business re-opened today? Tell us how opening day went and how you feel to be back up and running by emailing bev.holder@newsquest.co.uk.
To help encourage people to spend their money locally as businesses emerge from months of restrictions and closure - we are relaunching our Love Local Business campaign.
This follows our successful campaign, of the same name, which we ran in the News Group last summer and over Christmas.
The aim is to promote the fantastic traders we have in our towns and urge readers to give them their custom at this key time.
As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Stourbridge News reaches a large percentage of the local population with its print publication, record online audiences and social media.
Businesses wishing to be featured in the campaign can call 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.
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