SHOPS in Worcester are to be allowed to open 24 hours a day, Monday-to-Saturday, when they reopen after the lockdown ends today in an attempt to recoup the profits they have lost.
City Council leader Councillor Marc Bayliss, said: “After a year like no other, our city’s shops need all the help they can get so I’m delighted we can give our retailers the go-ahead to stay open 24 hours a day. I hope it will give them the chance to build their trade back up, claw back some of the losses they’ve suffered, and bring a little festive cheer to shoppers across our city.”
However, the traders we spoke to said they would not be open 24/7 but some will have extended opening hours.
Cookmate in Broad Street
Owner Caroline Kirkpatrick said: "We are extremely relieved and exciting about re-opening today, leaving just 23 days shopping days before Christmas. With that in mind we have decided to extend our opening hours to accommodate all our customers.
Our opening hours for December are:
Monday – Wednesday 9-6pm
Thursday – Saturday 9-7pm
Sunday 10-4pm
"We have offered “Call & Collect” during November which has worked well but is not the same as opening our doors and giving our lovely customers a chance to browse around the shop.
"It’s been an extremely difficult year and we have abided by all the Government guidelines to keep all safe, sometimes a little hard to swallow when other shops and garden centres were able to open !
"On a positive note we are very happy to welcome our customers back today, we have some fantastic re-opening offers and look forward to seeing you all."
Cornucopia in Crowngate
Owners Clare and Hannah Bishop said: "We are excited to be opening back up today and are looking forward to seeing our wonderful customers!
"We have had messages from many of them letting us know that they can’t wait for us to reopen as they’re planning their trips to come and visit us! We feel that our customers really want a physical shop to come into and get inspiration from our displays.
"We will be taking part in late night shopping and extending our opening hours slightly 10-5pm, but we don’t intend to stay open for 24 hours as we are a small family run business and understand the importance of spending time with family at this time of year."
Toys and Games of Worcester
Owners Tim and Vicky Evans said: "We’re really looking forward to opening and seeing everyone again, this lockdown although shorter, felt longer.
"We’ve been focused on mail order , deliveries and collections over the last month so we’re excited to be focussed on people again.
"We’re extending our hours to 9am to 6pm to spread out custom and will be doing late night Thursdays throughout and extending Sunday hours to 10am - 5pm.
"As for 24 hour opening, I’m not so sure I’d cope with that but our website and Facebook is operation around the clock so we always assist, even when we’re closed."
Mr Simms in the High Street
Mark and Michelle Rasdall said: "Mr Simms Worcester will certainly be open for longer hours from now until the end of the 24th, 7 days a week, but still with strict social distancing in place.
"What we have launched recently is the opportunity for nervous or previously shielding customers to book a free appointment for a personal ‘after hours’ shop.
"Our lovely customers have been incredibly supportive and we want to offer anyone who needs a bit more space or a bit of quiet time to come and browse safely."
Embrace Boutique in Reindeer Court
Sisters Paula Farrington and Lisa Farrington-Martin said: "We’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back today with COVID-19 measures in place in order to undertake our fitting services.
"We won’t be opening on a 24 hour basis though. Our normal opening hours from 10am to 5pm will apply. I’m not sure many customers would want a 24 hour fitting service!"
Acanthus in The Cornmarket
Owner Anna Boldry said: "I am hoping this short interlude has helped to give us some time to strengthen our resources against this pandemic.
"We're so looking forward to re-opening ACANTHUS in the Cornmarket today in the run up to Christmas to run down our stock of individually curated pieces: clothing, accessories and gifts.
"We'll be operating within the guidelines to offer you the best of independent retailing.
"We will be opening for pretty much every day up to and including 24th. We can't manage 24 hour opening though, sorry."
Toy Town in Crowngate
Store manager Nicky Clark said: "We are all really excited about opening back up and can't wait to get back to it. We won't be open 24 hours but we will doing extended hours everyday to help everyone get everything they need in time for Christmas.
"As before we have everything in place to make it as safe as possible for people to shop with us so now all we need are our lovely customers."
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