MANY of Tavistock’s non-essential retail businesses re-opened their doors this week as lockdown restrictions eased.

On Monday, the first day of trading for many since late March, Tavistock BID reported that the town was pleasantly busy and shop owners were delighted to be back.

Tavistock BID has been working hard alongside the town council and West Devon Borough Council to ensure that adequate security measures are in place in the town as shops and businesses start to re-open their doors.

Janna Sanders, BID manager, explained ‘In order to encourage people back into town, it is important to communicate that there are measures in place to protect them and the primary concern for all is that pedestrians can adhere to the current two metre social distancing rule safely.

‘We have widened pavements with temporary footways to enable people to pass each other freely.

‘There are historical motifs on the pavements outside most businesses indicating where to queue. We would ask everyone to take note of these as they have been positioned that way for a reason and may be different to the way you have been queuing for the past few weeks.

‘Businesses have all worked hard to put special measures in place — some may now be operating a one-way system and some may have to limit the number of people entering at any one time. To make this as enjoyable as possible for all, we would encourage everyone to please take the time to read signage that has been put up and respect any changes that businesses have made.

’There was a lovely atmosphere in town on Monday and we are so pleased to welcome people back. Thank you for shopping locally.’

Janna added that BID expressed thanks to Tavistock Heritage Trust for its insight into the town’s history for the historic motifs: ’We would ask everyone to take note of these as they have been positioned that way for a reason and may be different to the way you have been queuing for the past few weeks. The dates were kindly provided by Tavistock Heritage Trust and it gives us an nice insight into the history of the town while we wait.’