Vital for Ripon businesses to reopen

The date, signals the stage of the Governments roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown for non essential shops and hairdressers to reopen and Andrew Williams said he was looking forward to the step.

“I am looking forward to the end of lockdown if only to be able to get a hair cut,” said Coun Williams.

“More seriously, I know that many small businesses are desperate to get up and running again and it is vitally important that they do.

“The pandemic has already had a significant impact upon our own city centre with some having closed their doors permanently.

“I hope that this is the last lockdown and that we can now move forward with confidence and start to return what we would all view as normal life.”

As well as having an economic impact on the city, went beyond shopping.

“I, like many, am looking forward to being able to meet my friends again for a coffee or a pint and to go for a meal and not have the pots to wash!

“I hope that we will be able to once again welcome tourist visitors to our city and give them the warm Yorkshire welcome that previous visitors have enjoyed.”

Stuart Baldwin of Ripon BID said: “Having spoken to a number of business owners, they are all saying they cannot wait for the 12th April as being the first important step back to normality.

“The last 12 months have been extremely difficult for a number of businesses but many have adapted and found new ways to serve their customers.

“Businesses and the wider community have found ways of supporting vulnerable families and individuals over this challenging period, showing the marvellous sense of community spirit within Ripon.”

Trader Fiona Trees of Memorable Moments said that she could not wait to open the doors to her shop.

“As a small business lockdown has been very hard.

“In total we will have been closed for 30 weeks but some positives have come out of it.

“I had to find new ways to work so Memorable Moments now has a website, something which I had never considered.”

“I have been contactable through social media and have been able to offer click & collect and free local delivery so I have still had some interaction with my customers.

“I also think that people appreciate their local businesses so much more now and will make much more effort to “shoplocal”.”

She added: “I’m very hopeful that this will be the last lockdown and feel very positive for the future.

“The shop celebrates it’s 15th birthday in April and I look forward to many more.”

“All that I ask is that, if at all possible, the folk of Ripon support us and the many other lovely independents in our City. It has been tough but with your help we will survive.”

The message of support for local shops was echoed by Mr Baldwin who added: “I hope everyone continues to shop locally and support local businesses, so Ripon can become the vibrant place that residents and visitors want to experience.”