April 12

This is a key date to hold on to, it is the day subject to data not changing the government’s mind that the shop can reopen and the first two shifts on Monday and Tuesday are mine.

Initial indications are that only one person / family bubble will be allowed in at a time. I will be re-reading the regulations and making new notices as required in the week before and publishing what will be allowed on this blog and my social media channels.

I admit that since I knew this was the date to look forward to, time seems to have slowed down. I have plans on my duty days this week and next, to get into the shop to rearrange my sections of the shop, to deep clean and to do some decoration too. After spending so much time in the last year marketing what I do, I want my sections of the shop to stand out.

I popped into the shop to clarify some of my plans this morning but it is not a place that I have spent much time in on any visit since we were last open in January.

I am also starting to talk to fellow small businesses in my area of town about how we direct more trade into our section of the town off the main streets, it is something I started to consider before but must be a priority coming out of lockdown.

Going forwards in the new tax year 2021/22 I want the shop to be open more than it has been in 20/21 (5.5 months from 12). I sincerely hope that we do not have a third wave like other European countries which are having to lockdown again.

If you are a small business looking to reopen your premises what are your hopes and fears?

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