Shop local and bring ‘lifeblood’ back to Market Rasen

While a number of Market Rasen’s shops have remained open throughout the lockdown to provide essential items - food, medicine, pet food - the government has given the green light for a range of other shops to reopen from next Monday, June 15.

However, it could be another month before businesses such as hairdressers, barbers and beauticians receive the go-ahead.

Market Rasen Town Council has pledged support to all the town’s traders and the mayor, John Matthews, is urging people to support them too.

He said: “It seems a long time since shops were forced to close and during that time they have lost thousands of pounds in income.

“It is vital, now more than ever, that we shop local and support our local businesses - or we will lose them.

“People talk about the sustainability of the high street, but I believe that we have a unique mix of privately owned and run shops who deliver a great service to this community.

“The amount of times I go to a shop and ask if they have an item and the reply is ‘No, but I can get it for you in a couple of days’. You don’t find that degree of commitment in a large town or city.

“But the recovery will not happen overnight; we all have to support our town - Shop Local, Stay Safe.”

Market Rasen MP Sir Edward Leigh has praised the local independent traders for their ‘excellent service’.

He said: “Our high streets and local businesses are the lifeblood of our towns and villages.

“As we gear up to a return to business as usual, I hope people across Lincolnshire will support the independent traders who provide such an excellent service.

“They make our communities feel like home, so I encourage everyone to nip in, say hello, and pick something up for themselves or for their families.”

Shoppers will, of course, have to maintain the distancing guidelines while queuing and shopping, as well as adhering to any extra precautions the individual shops may put in place.

While expressing his ‘delight’ at the reopening of businesses, Coun John McNeill, West Lindsey ward member for Market Rasen, added a note of caution.

He said: “The opportunity to move cautiously towards normality is important, but we must all remember that we need to continue to be alert to the threat of the virus and remain active in our efforts to prevents its spread.”

Market Rasen Town Council and the Town Partnership group are working with local businesses to

•provide standard signage for shops to show customer limits and personal distancing measures

• mark pavement edges to act as guidance for queues

• ‘spring clean’ the high street ahead of Monday’s reopening

• organise a ‘celebration’ on Tuesday morning to also welcome more traders back to the market