Non-essential businesses in Cleveleys welcome back shoppers as they open their doors after lockdown

This morning, however, Victoria Road West was open to non-essential businesses once more, visited responsibly by shoppers practising social distancing and queuing outside.

Sanitation stands were set up outside some shops between Nutter Road and the promenade, including Superdrug and M&Co, to enable customers to sanitise their hands when entering and exiting a store.

Queuing systems were in place at most stores, encouraging shoppers to maintain social distancing while waiting to go in.

Phillips Jeweller's had put railings outside to control queues, and long queues of people could be seen waiting to enter Home Bargains, Santander, M&S, and Wilko.

Daniel Thornton, owner of Phillips Jewellers, said: "This morning there were no issues in our shop, and the street wasn't that busy.

"I haven't seen the mass lines of people I was expecting. Although there aren't many face masks, and most of my clients are elderly."

Very few people were seen wearing face masks on the street, and members of staff at some shops were seen guiding people inside to introduce new limited customer numbers.

WHSmith and M&Co staff were outside controlling the number of people entering the store, whereas Holland and Barrett and New Look had clear "Only two customers at once" guidance on their doors.

On Nutter Road, Plush Home and Giftware opened its doors to the public again, with sanitiser available and fewer customers allowed in at once.

Although measures were taken to ensure a safe shopping experience, not everyone was convinced the lockdown should have been eased from today.

Speaking to the Gazette online, Terry Robinson said: "I don’t think Cleveleys was ever in lockdown from what I saw and I think its way too early to be easing off in our area."

Sheila Christopher said: "It was busy enough during lockdown, it's like Covid never happened."

Costa Coffee confirmed it would re-open on Thursday June 19, and a number of charity shops including Trinity Hospice and Brian House will be re-opening later this week.