Cheers – welcome back! Lockdown eases as pubs, restaurants & hair salons re-open

FROME sprang back into life at the weekend with the return of its hairdressers, barbers, pubs, restaurants and cafés following the lifting of more lockdown restrictions.

In what was dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could re-open after a lockdown of three months.

Landlord Steve Jackman from The Masons Arms, Marston Road, told Frome Times, “It was good – a few of the locals came back, and everyone observed the new rules and regulations. People were excited to be back in the pub – and there was definitely a euphoric sense about seeing other people again in a social environment. 

“Some people hadn’t seen each other in months –  some have been meeting in the pub on a regular basis for a decade. And despite the sense of frustration about wanting to hug or shake hands – everyone stuck to the rules.”

Local stylist Christelle Roux, who owns her own salon said,  “It was really good to be back in business. Everybody was so happy to see me. It’s amazing to see the difference what a haircut can do for a person – there was a lot of happiness and relief!”

This weekend also sees the return of Westway cinema reopening on Friday 10th, and Frome Somerset Farmers’ Market will be back on Saturday 11th July. 

Support local 

businesses!

Although relieved to be back open, most pubs and salons face a difficult time. 

They have had to spend a lot of money on making their businesses safe to prevent any spread of the virus. Salons have introduced safety measures with PPE for staff, a full clean between each client and reduced capacity due to social distancing. Pubs have introduced social distancing measures while restricted numbers and table service have increased costs. And with some vulnerable locals still self-isolating, and others avoiding local gatherings all together – many local businesses face a slow road back to normality.

Steve from The Masons Arms, said, “The Saturday was not as busy as normal, and Sunday was less than half busy as we would have been – people are obviously still being very cautious. It will take some time for people to feel comfortable going out to the pub again.

“But we have everything in place to make a customer’s visit as safe as possible – there are screens, a one-way system and hand sanitiser available. And we have put measures in place to keep our staff as safe as possible.”

As part of its ongoing campaign, Frome Times is encouraging the community to continue its support for local businesses, helping them to get back on their feet.

Editor of Frome Times, Ian Drew said, “Our businesses have gone the extra mile to ensure that they can make a safe return to the heart of our community. It’s never been more important to support them to help kick-start the local economy and protect jobs.”

Stay alert, act 

responsibly

As life continues to return to a ‘new normal’ in the town, local authorities have urged the community to remain ‘alert’ to the potential spread of coronavirus and act responsibly when visiting businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, by observing social distancing measures in place. 

Prior to ‘Super Saturday’, fearing an excited rush to local pubs,  Avon and Somerset Police warned the community of their responsibilities to help control the virus.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens said, “It is important to remember that the further lifting of restrictions last weekend is not a return to normal. We are still in the middle of a global health emergency, and our pubs and restaurants are going to look very different to what we are used to, with local businesses taking careful steps to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

“The last thing we want is a localised outbreak that means we have to return to restrictions when other parts of the country are lifting theirs – we’ve seen how difficult this has been for people living and working in Leicester.

“Let’s all be cautious, act with common sense and ensure that all the sacrifice of the last four months does not go to waste.”