As lockdown measures start to ease, non-essential shops such as clothing stores and bookshops are now opening across London for locals to enjoy a sense of normality again. It is especially important right now not to forget your local independent shops that have likely suffered being closed for so long, therefore, we strongly encourage you to give them some love if you decide to visit your high street.
Despite these shops being open, there will of course be social distancing measures in place, with many shops safely opening for locals to support them. You’ll see most stores have provided hand sanitizer and social distancing stickers so customers can move around the store in the safest and least stressful way, taking a similar approach to many supermarkets.
As a general guide when entering any of your favourite local shops, it is important to keep to the 2 metre distance rule, wear a face mask when in a busy, enclosed space and limit your touching to only items you intend to buy. By following these rules carefully and strictly, it will mean more and more local shops will feel safe to open, getting closer to a fully open high street again. Despite most stores providing hand sanitizer and masks, we still encourage locals to bring these items before they journey to the store. You’ll also find fitting rooms in the clothing stores will also be closed, but the staff will be there to advise you on sizing nevertheless. The government guidance has suggested that stores put aside items that have been frequently touched so they can be santitised safely before being put back on shelves.
With many of these shops having been closed since 23rd March, independent business owners like the team at Lowie in Brixton are more excited than ever to see both old and new faces in their stores again. The closing of non-essential stores at the beginning of lockdown affected many of our favourite retail chains, but especially our independent stores that relied on wandering locals looking for a friendly face and a casual browse.
Other shops like Dulwich Books are opening today, with similar social distance rules in place, such as only having limited people in the store at once and again providing hand sanitizer at door. You’ll find many shops are being reassuringly strict about their customers using hand sanitizer before they enter the store, so if you refuse, you’ll likely be turned away. This is of course for the customers’ safety and to ensure these shops can stay open with these new rules in place.
Many of our favourite independent stores, including Paraphernalia in Crofton Park have been preparing their stores and announcing on social media, buzzing for the arrival of customers again. Independent stores like these heavily rely on the support from their local communities to keep running, so it is our job to follow the rules put in place so we can continue visiting them.
#thankyou to all my #followers for your #support during these past 3 months #couldnthavedoneitwithoutyou #staysafe #healthy & always #staystylish Reopen TOMORROW 11am ! @southlondonclub @selondonparents @brockleychronicles @brockley_life @croftonparkhome @croftonparklife pic.twitter.com/BW4Rm6ZHFv
— Paraphernalia (@Paraphernalia65) June 14, 2020
Independent shops have been a staple for many South London high streets and we hope you will actively seek out your favourite independent shop and give them some love and support safely. Let us know what will be the first local shop you visit this week!
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The South London Club is a local discount card to help support small independent businesses across South London whilst saving all who live, work & play in South London money! With over 850+ local discounts to choose from, you will discover & explore all the best hidden gems in South London. Join over 7,000 of us & celebrate all that's independent & South London!