After 11 weeks in lockdown, and time spent preparing to be Covid-safe, today is finally ‘opening time’ for gift retailers in England. (Retailers in Scotland and Wales will have to wait until June 18 to find out when they will be able to re-open their doors).
“It feels like a new start,” enthused Jo Webber, owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton. “I have the same mix of excitement and worry running along together in the same way that I did when taking the plunge to open my shop 27 years ago. But I now know that I have knowledge, and strong, loyal, local customer support for Jo Amor, something that has consistently been there for us over the last ten weeks.”
Also excited to be back in the shop again is Sarah Marshall, co-owner of The Dotty House in Gateshead. “We’re very excited to re-open,” stated Sarah, “as we have lots of new stock to show off. We’ve followed government guidelines and have put all the measures in place so that our customers can have a comfortable shopping experience.”
She continued: “As a shop in the heart of our community we have continued to provide a service by taking orders on our website and delivering by hand for free in the local area. We will continue to offer this service when we re-open for our more vulnerable customers.
Also eager to welcome customers back are Tracey and Chris Bryant, owners of Expressions, Cats Whiskers and Polkadot (in Swindon, Bishops Cleeve and Keynsham respectively) who have been greatly encouraged by the reactions of the many passers-by who have been looking through the windows of their shops and giving them the thumbs-up, helping them to feel optimistic about trading again, with Andrea Pinder, owner of Presentation in Barrowford, another indie who is encouraged by the ‘window in-lookers’. She revealed: “I was in the shop painting last Thursday, in readiness for our re-opening, and still took two sales, both for over £60, from people walking past who knocked on the window.” 
Meanwhile, Carl Dunne and Oliver Guise-Smith, owners of Cards & Gifts in Sheffield, are doubly excited about today, due to the fact they opened an additional shop in the city during lockdown. “We’re taking fortunes!” they revealed. “Thanks to getting in PPE – masks and hand sanitiser – as well as plants, we’ve pushed the rules and we’re hoping this loop hole is enough for the moment! The Saturday before last was amazing, Sunday just as good and Monday was ‘wow’! The gamble is paying off, so fingers crossed for everyone else opening up that things stay this busy!”
However, Adam de Wolff, co-owner of The Indigo Tree in Streatham and Crystal Palace, is taking a pragmatic view: “I wouldn’t say we are excited about opening, more apprehensive about understanding how the high street shopping experience and customer habits have changed since lockdown,” says Adam. “One positive thought is that the entire country has had a taste of what their local high streets will look and feel likewithout our shops, cafes and restaurants. When the majority of small independent businesses do open today, there really hasn’t been a more pressing and essential time to support them.”
While retailers in Scotland and Wales are still waiting to hear when they can re-open,retailers in Northern Ireland were finally able to open their doors last Friday (June 12).
Top: Finally, we’re open for business!
