With many non-essential shops in Swanage opening for the first time since lockdown, residents are being urged to shop local to help the town centre and its shops recover from the economic disaster of three months with little or no income.
Shops that are opening this week include Surprise ‘n’ Store, Swanage Bookshop, Sue’s Cards and The Old Forge Antiques.
Art galleries that are also opening this week include Purbeck New Wave Gallery, The Courtyard Studio and Lucy’s Farm, all in the Tilly Mead area of Swanage
Surprise ‘n’Store is one of the shops in Swanage opening this Monday
Institute Road also expected to reopen
Just in time for the opening of the shops, Institute Road which has been closed due to roadworks since last January is also expected to reopen by the end of this week.
Once Institute Road opens, Shore Road by the Mowlem will close for the summer for safety reasons and to allow more space for people to social distance.
Parking charges in car parks operated by Swanage Town Council will also resume from today. The maximum stay period for each car park will now be enforced.
“Use them or lose them”
Swanage Town Mayor, Mike Bonfield said:
“Please help all Swanage businesses and shops by buying local. These are the businesses and local residents who have all done their best to support our community during this difficult time. ‘Use them or lose them’ has never been a more important message.”
Non-essential shops are allowed to reopen from Monday 15th June 2020
“Ensure that our local high-street shops are able to get back on their feet”
Dorset Council Councillor for Swanage, Gary Suttle added:
“By staying local we can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 and by shopping local we can ensure that our local high-street shops are able to get back on their feet.
“This is a crucial time for local business-owners who want to welcome shoppers back while ensuring that their customers stay safe. By councils working together with businesses and their customers, we can maintain public health and support the economy to start re-opening safely.
“Local businesses need your support right now to ensure they can continue to trade in the future. Our message for residents is if you continue to follow the public health guidance around COVID-19 it’s safe to get back out there and do some shopping on your high street.”
