Hundreds of businesses across Wigan & St Helens open for the first time in three months

It’s been nearly 100 days since shoppers could last hit the Highstreet but today, for the first time since early January, huge swathes of the economy have reopened.

It’s part of the next step of the governments ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown which also sees zoos and other outdoor entertainment venues reopen.

Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets can also reopen but you can only go there with people you live with.

While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

John Sanson, from the Grand Arcade in Wigan, said:

"It's really important for Wigan's economy and for the economy of the whole country to get people out shopping and get back to some sort of normal routine."

"We've been locked down since just after Christmas and I think people just want to get out and want to do something a little bit different. So hopefully we're going to be busy."

"I really feel as though we'll be getting back to some sort of normality."

"We hope to get back to where we were before lockdown, but it's so good, not just to see the tenants open, but to see the shoppers in as well."

He's also reassuring shoppers that it is safe to return:

"Obviously, we've been preparing and we've still got social distancing and a one-way system on the mall."

"All tenants, this week, have been getting everything ready with lots of contractors, so it's been really good to see everybody."

Our high streets saw a 60% decline in footfall during lockdown according to data gathered by the British Retail Consortium.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief-Executive of British Retail Consortium, said:

“Footfall crept up on high streets and shopping centres as warmer weather coincided with the end of the Government’s ‘stay at home’ requirements".

"The earlier Easter date also gave consumers a reason to do a little extra food shopping, with strong demand for chocolate and Easter Eggs leading to extra store visits."

"Consumers appear to be more confident about visiting shops, showing that the safety measures put in place are clearly helping to make shoppers feel more comfortable visiting and returning to stores."

“Non-food retail stores will have lost £30bn in foregone sales over the three lockdowns."

"It is essential they are able to trade effectively from April 12, and remain open."

"Savings have been building up over lockdown, and the economic recovery relies on retailers being able to unlock the pent-up demand in the economy."

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