Thornton and Cleveleys businesses get ready to open their doors as lockdown eases

In Cleveleys, many businesses continued operations throughout the pandemic, with Taylor's of Cleveleys in Anchorsholme, the Family Bakery, Fleetwood Produce and Grimes butchers on the high street all offering protected collection or delivery services.

The Little Sandwich Shop on Victoria Road West, which celebrated its first birthday this week, has also continued to take special orders online - despite being unable to open the shop.

But other businesses across Thornton and Cleveleys are now getting ready to welcome back customers for the first time, since they were ordered to close by the Government in March to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Daniel Thornton, owner of Phillips Jewellers on Victoria Road West said: "We will be re-opening on Monday. We have invested in full sets of counter screens, an outdoor drop-off hut on busy days, a maximum two families in the shop, and a staffed door.

"There will be an outside queuing system and all staff have PPE, in case we need to assist disabled customers or others on non-screened floor space."

Gift shop Plush Home and Giftware on Nutter Road is also planning to reopen on Monday, with customer limits introduced, hand sanitisers made available, screens to separate customers and staff, and taped flooring to maintain social distancing.

Other stores on Victoria Road West set to open their doors on June 15 include WHSmith, New Look, Frederick's, and 02. Stores deemed as essential by the Government remain open, such as Poundland, Home Bargains, M&S, and Pets and Puzzles.

The re-openings will see much of the high street come back to life, as the majority of stores welcome customers.

Some charity shops will also begin to open their doors next week, in the hope to raise some much-needed funds after the virus halted planned fundraising events.

Oxfam, Cancer Research and Barnardos have not confirmed their planned re-opening dates, but the high street's Brian House shop will open the week commencing June 22, and Trinity Hospice's store will re-open on Tuesday (June 16.)

Others stores yet to confirm a re-opening date include Card Factory, Bonmarche and The Works.

In Thornton, the relaxing of lockdown rules will bring some relief for the independent businesses at Marsh Mill Shopping Village.

La Shack gift shop and Dots on Pots will both be re-opening from Monday, and Dream Doors West Lancs will open its showroom for appointments.

Mother and daughter team Hayley Anderton and Caroline Wolstencroft, owners of Blossom Boutique in Marsh Mill village, said they were looking forward to welcoming customers back to their store after fortunately continuing to make sales online through the pandemic.

Caroline said: "We'll be re-opening on Tuesday June 16, with just one member of staff, but we'll still be managing sales through our website.

"We'll also be making appointments for anyone who contacts us and would prefer to shop alone. We have hand sanitiser inside the shop and a counter screen, and nobody will be able to try clothes on just yet.

"Any returns made will be isolated for three days before returning to the shop floor or website. We also have a counter screen, card machine and gloves for customers, who are only able to come in two at a time."