Shoppers rejoice as Ribble Valley comes back to life with the reopening of businesses

Ribble Valley Borough Council has been working with shops and pubs to prepare for Step 2 of the Government’s roadmap on lockdown easing.

From yesterday, the borough’s shops, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, including libraries and community centres, reopened.

And business has been brisk at the council’s Platform Gallery and Ribblesdale Pool, which reopened to enthusiastic swimmers and art enthusiasts.

The borough council's chief executive, Marshal Scott, said: “The past few months have been enormously challenging for the retail and hospitality sectors, and it is imperative that they get back to business.

“But it must be done in a way that ensures customers remain safe and we have been working closely with them to ensure they are able to reopen successfully.

“We are delighted that our high streets have reopened and our swimming pool is enjoying a particularly brisk trade.”

Cafes, pubs and restaurants across the Valley also enjoyed busy trade on the first day of restrictions easing. A spokesman for Holmes Mill, in Clitheroe, said: "We were delighted to welcome customers back to Holmes Mill yesterday, we had three venues; Bowland Beer Hall, Food Hall and Boiler House Café all serving food and drink to the Mill yard.

"We were blessed with the sun as customers old and young enjoyed themselves. We have added many additional tables and marquees allowing our guests to enjoy the space come rain or shine, it was a fantastic atmosphere and great to see our staff back doing what they do best."

Council officers have been out and about in recent weeks distributing information packs to shops and pubs, and explaining the national legislation on reopening.

As well as shops and personal care services, pub gardens and outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, but with table service only, while most outdoor attractions and smaller outdoor events, such as fetes, literary fairs and fairgrounds, have also been given the green light.

Indoor leisure and sports facilities can also reopen, but only for individual exercise, or with your household or support bubble.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has produced Covid-secure information packs that are being distributed to the borough’s pubs and shops in keeping with national legislation.

Full details on coronavirus restrictions and lockdown easing are available at gov.uk.

● Don’t forget the Ribble Valley Community Hub is still here to help. The hub has been beavering away in the background throughout the pandemic helping thousands of residents with everyday needs and offering a listening ear. You can contact the hub Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 01200 414597.