Show your support for our local shops as Harborough gets ready to welcome back shoppers next week

It’s going to be full steam ahead for shops set to re-open in Market Harborough on Monday June 15 – giving the local economy a powerful shot in the arm.

Up to three quarters of the town centre’s independent outlets are gearing up to throw their doors back open to customers with stringent restrictions in place.

Some of the national chains are also preparing to pull up the shutters after being shut for almost three months by the country’s devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

And no one is welcoming Monday more than Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council.

Asked about the importance of the landmark day, just five days short of the year’s longest day, Phil told the Harborough Mail: “It’s absolutely critical.

“It will be vital on so many different levels to start to open up our fantastic town centre again.

“It’s already starting to show signs of life and it’s going to be great to pump even more heart and soul back in to our High Street.”

The Conservative council chief added: “We all know and realise that it’s crucial to start firing up our economy locally again – it’s our lifeblood.

“Most of our shops and stores have been closed for many weeks since the lockdown was imposed.

“So it’s paramount that our first-class businesses and outlets begin to re-open once again.

“And that’s not just true for Market Harborough but also our fellow towns in the district such as Lutterworth, Kibworth and Broughton Astley.

“I was out and about in Market Harborough earlier today and it’s definitely getting busier and more active with more takeaways re-opening.

“More people are going back to work and as a result are starting to spend more money in the town centre.”

Phil called on the public to make the most of the retail-charged boost but to respect “coronavirus constraints”.

“Shops and businesses will have to adapt their models to operate successfully in the current climate.

“Special queueing systems will be introduced, extra signs put up and sanitiser stations set up,” he said.

“We are all plunging into uncharted territory so we don’t know exactly how it’s going to go.

“But we are just asking people to stay alert, to use their common sense and to keep their two-metre social distance.”

Phil said the council’s business team will be offering support, advice and guidance as Harborough’s shops work towards welcoming back customers.

“We’ll be there to help them every inch of the way.

“It’s also going to be a massive morale booster for the public to be able to go back to their favourite shops,” said the council leader.

“I need a haircut and I’m sure a lot of other men and women can’t wait to turn up at their hairdressers and barbers.

“This is a giant step in the right direction as Harborough and the entire nation strives to get back to normal after these difficult times.”

Phil’s being backed up by locally-based national retail expert Michael Weedon.

Michael, who lives in Lubenham, told the Mail: “I am confident that the people here will give it a really good go.

“I am hopeful that it will all work out but we have a long way to go and they will need all the support we can give them.

“One of the many reasons I love living in this area is that I love our town centre in Harborough,” said Michael, chair of the Federation of Small Businesses’ Retail and High Streets Policy Unit.

“We have a fantastic mix of locally-owned independent shops.

“These are people’s livelihoods – so they are committed to making them work.

He said one of the toughest hurdles to clear will be ensuring queueing customers are kept apart outside.

“It won’t be easy to keep people two metres away from each other on narrow pavements as they wait to go in,” said Michael.

“I expect that we will see a much wider, more extensive use of appointments in future.”