Let's support our local businesses as we return to 'normal' life | Tracey Smith

My spirits are lifting as I hope and pray we are nearing the end of lockdown.

I know some of my friends have had to shield since March, 2020, so I can only imagine how daunting it is

going to feel when they step back out and hopefully back to some sort of normality.

I for one tend to hibernate during the winter months and find myself leaving work at 5pm to then get home and into my pyjamas, close the curtains and shut the night out.

But now that spring has sprung albeit with a smattering of snow, and we see our hairdressers, swimming pools and gyms reopen along with beer gardens and restaurants allowing six people per table, I am starting to feel excited.

As my hair now resembles Boris Johnson’s I really cannot wait for my hairdresser to open!

I have not seen my friends for 12 months so the thought of being able to see them and have my family

around to sit in the garden for food and drinks is making me giddy!!

I am also hoping to see my daughter, who lives in Munich, soon,as she has not been allowed to come home for a visit since December 2019.

After asking a few people this week what they intend to do from the 12thl it wasn’t surprising to hear them saying that they could not wait to get back to doing sport of some sort, meeting up with friends and family, going out for a meal, go to the pub, visiting beauticians and restarting their hobbies once more.

I would love to see everyone supporting their local businesses and putting money back into our local towns and to help them regain some financial stability.

I am really looking forward to the Nattershack meet ups starting again on April 13th. I just hope the great British weather holds out as the first event will be held outdoors!

The first Nattershack Explorers walk and talk group was a great success on April 7th. People came together at the designated meet up point and headed off on a short ramble around Towneley Park. Hopefully, this will become a weekly event.

From May 17th the pubs and restaurants open their doors to us, and we are allowed inside.

I think we will appreciate what we have temporarily lost over the past six months. I am we sure will all be a

little bit excitable! Here’s hoping we stay sensible, and the restrictions are not put back in place.

I’ll see you at the bar!