Wrexham town centre reopens – “let’s show that local people are supporting local businesses.””

Residents across Wrexham are being encouraged to support local traders and to shop safely now that changes to lockdown have allowed for the reopening of non-essential retail.

Throughout the week shops in the town centre and across the county borough began to reopen their doors to visitors more than 90 days after they were ordered to close with immediate effect.

Earlier this month First Minister Mark Drakeford urged non-essential retailers to prepare for reopening. The first minister officially announced last Friday that from June 22nd shops can reopen provided they have “all reasonable measures” to comply with the physical distancing duty in Welsh law to reduce the spread of coronavirus and protect shop workers and shoppers.

Over the past few days businesses and shoppers in Wrexham have started to adapt to the “new normal” which will be in place for the foreseeable future.

This includes markings outside shops indicating where people can queue, perspex screens and hand sanitisers in shops and even changes to the way people browse.

In the town centre Bank Street has been made one way to help prevent people from passing each other and there are bilingual signs throughout the town reminding people to keep 2 metres away at all times.

Social Distancing Wardens are patrolling the town at various intervals reminding visitors of the government guidelines.

Click and collect parking on High Street has been created, and town centre car parking in council owned car parks remains free until the end of September.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, says: “After an incredibly tough few months, it really was fantastic to see people shopping safely and supporting local businesses.

“Although we’re not out of the woods yet and must continue to do everything we can to help beat this pandemic, Monday was a really important step for the town centre.

“The measures we’ve put in place seem to be working well, and will help keep everyone safe as more people return over the coming days and weeks.

“It’s really important that we all ‘shop local’ wherever they can.

“So please…come and spend your money in Wrexham. The traders need you, so let’s show that local people are supporting local businesses.”