Back in business as retailers relaunch in Leighton Buzzard

As of June 15, all non-essential shops were allowed to reopen after three long months of closed doors and empty premises during the pandemic.

To mark the special occasion, Leighton-Linslade Town Council Mayor David Bowater and Deputy Mayor Farzana Kharawala visited the High Street on Monday morning, supporting all the town’s tenacious traders.

Speaking after his visit, Cllr Bowater said: “I loved every moment of it!

“I handed out visors to shopkeepers and I’ve got two more bags in my car which I will be handing out at the market [on Tuesday].

“I just went round the High Street to virtually anyone who was open - Boots, the banks, independent shops, the charity shops. One charity shop was so grateful as we gave them four visors.”

The visors were being handed out on behalf of the town council and were made by the team from Vandyke Upper School.

The council had 400 visors costing £800 and now has around 350 left, with 200 of the visors paid for by the Mayor himself.

Cllr Bowater added: “Jacqui Hargreaves [of Vandyke Visors] has done a great job. I can’t thank her enough.

“Someone asked me if we are going to have a party at the end of all of this.

“It would give me great pleasure. But please, listen to what Boris says - we want a party not a wake.

“But I think generally our rate of infection is pretty good; people are doing the right thing.”

Accompanying the Mayor on his visit was Deputy Mayor Cllr Farzana Kharawala, who like Cllr Bowater was impressed by what she saw, and keen to encourage residents to support the local economy.

Cllr Kharawala said: “It was fine, absolutely fine. I think all the shops had a bit of nervousness - ‘are people going to come into town?’

“But there was a really nice buzz. It was first thing in the morning at 10am, and people were pleased to be able to go into the shops again.

“Everyone was queuing very patiently and keeping their distance when walking in between shops, and the shops have all got measures, barriers, and signs to keep everyone safe.”

Up on Hockliffe Street, in TK Furniture, manager Sam Shattock reported that it had been a successful morning.

He said: “We’ve done a few sales. It’s quietened off now, although people have probably gone to the park after lunch and I’ve seen a few people walking round with ice-creams.

“We’re pleased to be back. We’ve got hand sanitiser at the door. We’re quite a big shop so it hasn’t been too bad but we’ve made where you come in wider, and taken a few things off the floor. This morning more or less as soon as we opened somebody came in!”

Sam’s father, Tom, has now retired (for the fourth time!) but he will no doubt be popping back in to say hello, and the family hope that customers continue to support independent businesses in Leighton Buzzard.

Adrienne Lowther, owner of Adrienne’s Flowers in Ropa Court, said: “It’s been quiet but we’ve had a couple of customers in this morning.

“I think it’s going to take a little bit of getting people’s confidence to come out, but if they don’t come it affects everybody. We’ve put a message on our Facebook and Instagram to say thank you for everyone’s support.”

Senior florist Emma Tuohy added: “We’ve made up bouquets outside and people have dropped off cards for funerals; it’s really nice that people are able to come back into the shop, particularly for the heartfelt side. We will also be including a free box of Roses for any order to say thank you! [Minimum spend £22.50].”

Gareth Jones, proprietor of Cee Jay Electronics on Hockliffe Street, added: “It’s been quite a busy day and it’s been really good to be back. I think people are glad to be going to the shops. It’s just been really normal. I’ve been working all the way through, as we’ve offered deliveries and service work, but it’s some of my staff’s first day back and they’ve been growing in confidence.”

Meanwhile Room No9, on the High Street, planned to be back open on Tuesday from 9.30am. Speaking on Monday afternoon, owner Caroline Gates said: “We’re just so excited and really looking forward to seeing all our lovely customers.”

A Leighton-Linslade Town Council spokesman said: “The town council remains steadfastly proud and supportive of our local economy. We recognise the value that the myriad of businesses both large and small bring to the parish both in terms of choice as well as employment opportunity.

“Together with Central Bedfordshire Council, we will over the coming weeks be introducing a raft of measures to encourage our on-going and collective support of town centre businesses who have been particularly affected during lockdown.

“Measures include the temporary pedestrianisation of the High Street and return of the twice-weekly market.

“In addition, the town council will be offering town centre businesses the opportunity to receive a free safety visor.”

A thank you also goes to Cllr Tony Morris and Cllr Gordon Perham who spent Monday morning marking up the high street with temporary tape to help shops with queues to maintain social distancing.

> Have you been back to the High Street yet? What was your shopping experience like? Email [email protected]