Hexham town centre’s businesses have welcomed back customers amid the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

The Government’s second phase of lifting lockdown restrictions has meant that non-essential retail, hospitality, gyms, and hairdressers have been able to open – which the town’s residents have been taking advantage of.

The main shopping streets have seen a steady stream of customers, with queues outside some stores, such as Tynedale Hospice at Home.

David Parkinson, retail operations manager at Tynedale Hospice at Home said: “All the safety checks are in place. We have hand sanitiser, PPE, and masks. We’ve been lucky with the weather too – I think customers are keen to get back to normal.”

One shop which has been welcoming back younger customers is Mr Wolf’s Children’s Store. Manager Austin Birney said: “We’ve sold a lot of soft toys today. We were worried that kids have had a tough time over lockdown, and it’s nice to have them back.”

April 12 also marked the return of the pub.

The Grapes pub on St Mary’s Chare has been welcoming guests into its beer garden for the first time this year and was gearing up for the evening, with all tables fully booked. Manager Carla Rowley said: “It has been good so far. Everyone is happy and in nice spirits. We’re pleased to have our customers back.”

Customer Carl, who was enjoying his first pint in months said: “It’s good craic and I’m enjoying seeing people again.”

Despite pubs welcoming punters back into the beer gardens, it was the barbers who were busiest earlier on Monday, with long queues outside of Zanzi Turkish Barber in Market Place and David B Barbers on St. Mary’s Chare. John Doherty, who was queuing outside of Zanzi Turkish Barber said: “I have been waiting about 7 or 8 months to get my hair cut! I’ve been here for about 45 minutes since lunchtime waiting for the queue to die down.”

Ben Haslam, co-owner at Hallgate Galleries expects the coming months to be good for Hexham, especially its independent retailers. Ben said: “We expect to see a big increase in custom when people start to get the confidence to come to the town for the shopping experience. It’s a beautiful town in a nice environment and it stands businesses here in very good stead.”