SHOPS in Wellington selling non-essential goods opened this week for the first time since the lockdown imposed because of coronavirus came into force in March.

Supermarkets and other food outlets have been open throughout the shutdown, and estate agents and garden centres re-opened several weeks ago.

Nationally, long queues formed outside High Street shops in major centres on Monday as the lockdown was eased. In Wellington several independent shops re-opened, all adopting health and safety precautions, and many reported brisk trade.

High Street jeweller G J Jamieson said it was very busy on Monday, at times with a queue on the pavement outside. Owner Graham Jamieson said the shop sold about 50 watch batteries as customers’ timepieces stopped working during lockdown and that ‘there was no time for a sip of tea’.

The shop has safety measures in place, including limiting access to two customers at a time, a glass counter screen, sanitiser at the door and the door handles cleaned with cleaning wipes. Shop manager Lorna Rayfield, who was wearing a face mask, praised customers for behaving responsibly in store. She added: “It was really nice to re-open – it was lovely to see everybody again. Everyone was really well behaved and so friendly – we had people opening the door to say ‘welcome back’.”

Kanya women’s clothes shop in High Street had a ‘fantastic day’ on its first day of opening on Monday, said shop assistant Caroline Unwin. Owner Tracy-Ann Fraser decided to open again on Tuesday, even though she had not planned to do so, because the first day back went so well.

The lockdown has meant the store has lots of spring/summer stock when normally its autumn-winter lines would be coming in soon. “It’s strange going back – you forget everything,” Caroline said at the till sat behind a clear plastic screen – the shop also has a two-customer in-store limit.

Tracy-Ann did not trade extensively online while the shop was shut but she is setting up a website now which is nearly ready so she can do so.

Annette Shaw, of Take the Vape in Fore Street, was pleased with how trading had gone after re-opening on Monday. The store ran a delivery service during lockdown as many of its mature customers are shielding and do not want to or cannot leave their homes. The shop is now open 10am-2pm, although those hours may be extended when delivery orders start slowing down.

Annette said: “Yesterday when we opened I wasn’t sure if anyone would come in but it was busy and it’s been busy today – I’m absolutely thrilled. Customers have kept us going by ordering and we’re so thankful for that now we have opened up again – and everyone is still being so supportive. I love Wellington and I really love being here – I’m very happy.”