Wiltshire businesses say 'it's brilliant to be back' as lockdown lifts
Non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and pub gardens have all returned this week
Last updated 14th Apr 2021
Retail stores across our region are enjoying their first week back in business, after being forced to shut for more than three months due to lockdown restrictions.
On Monday 12 April, non-essential shops, gyms and pub gardens were allowed to re-open for the first time since the third national lockdown was ordered by Boris Johnson.
'The last year has been the worst that most businesses have ever had'
Our reporter Matt Hutchinson has been covering the easing of lockdown in Swindon this week:
He spoke to Jonathan Pascoe, who runs the town centre's Cornish Bakehouse chain and said it's "brilliant" that local shops "are back".
"The last year or so has been the worst that most businesses have ever had," he added.
"Hopefully we're now 'on the up' with the easing of restrictions and we can hopefully go back to some normality.
"It would be nice to get to a place where we don't have to wear masks and we don't have to be hidden behind screens, but I can't see that happening anytime soon".
The beauty industry, like many other sectors across the country, has suffered during the Coronavirus crisis.
It's been boosted by the fact that personal care facilities, including salons and barbers, have also been able to welcome customers once again this week.
Hasan Dalga manages Celly's salon on Regent Street in Swindon.
"I think in a couple of weeks, we're going to get busy," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"We're going to be rushed, from people being at home for three and a half months. It's OK, we're expecting this anyway. We're happy.
"It was a hard time, just staying at home and waiting. A hard time for business as well".
He added that many customers have entered the salon with lockdown hair, requiring immediate attention: "Some people come here needing a massive (hair) job and we're just trying to sort it!
"Anyway, they're leaving happy".
'A lot of people would come up to me and say thank you'
Since the current COVID lockdown was announced in early January, buskers have been few and far between in our region.
Singer Jim Dytham made his return to Swindon town centre on Monday. He hasn't performed there since the festive period.
He said: "I've been looking forward to today and being able to get back out.
"When I was busking before the latest lockdown ... a lot of people would come up to me and say 'thank you' for brightening things up a bit, because everything had been kind of miserable!
"So I know a lot of people appreciate it, (but) I'm sure there's people who don't," he joked.
Despite the easing of restrictions, the government is still urging people to remain COVID-safe and follow its 'Hands, Face, Space' guidance when leaving the house.