BUSINESSES across Malvern are eagerly awaiting their return from coronavirus lockdown, and caution is being urged to help prevent future measures.

From Monday, April 12, non-essential retailers, hairdressers and other personal care services can reopen.

Pubs, restaurants, and cafes will also be able to serve people outside and outdoor attractions can also reopen.

A number of Malvern businesses spoke to the Gazette about their feelings.

Shalee Mairs, owner of Chocolate Avenue, said: "I am very excited and apprehensive at the same time, although I am certainly excited to see all my amazing regulars and customers again.

"I am really looking forward to seeing all my Church Walk shopkeepers, I have missed all our camaraderie.

"It is amazing how my little shop has become part of Great Malvern community.

"That being said, I am apprehensive because I don’t know what lies ahead for the footfall in our town shops.

"How online shopping have impacted the physical shops like mine, only time will tell."

Pauline Wolfe, owner of The Malvern Healing Tree, said: "I am really excited to be able to open up my doors to my clients again for their complementary therapies.

"So many have missed the power of touch and a place to go to relax away from the stress and strains of every day life.

"I am so happy to be able to provide these services again."

Alison Pearson, owner of Poolbrook Kitchen and Coffee Shop, said she was excited to be re-opening, adding that she hopes the weather brightens up in time for the re-opening.

Tina Iacovelli, said: "I am definitely relieved to re-open the shop on Monday. Despite running live-streams while closed, nothing can substitute face to face customer contact, laughter and connection. Bring it on."

Christine Burns Wood, owner of The Beauty Spot, said: "We have the go-ahead for the 12th, so we are very excited both personally and professionally.

"I have missed pampering my clients and interacting with them, so am delighted to be re-opening.

Sunny Panwar, owner of the Marlbank Inn, said he was looking forward to showing off the new outside bar and kitchen on-site ready for the summer.

District council leader Sarah Rouse urged residents to "shop local and shop safely" to keep the infection rates down.

She said: "It’s been an incredible effort by everybody to get our infection rate down.

"Local businesses have played their part by shutting their doors and now we have a chance to repay them.

"I encourage people to get out on to the high street and support our local traders but follow the rules to keep yourself, your loved ones and everyone else safe.

"Let’s get back to supporting our traders safely. Let’s not put it all at risk now."

Traders are also encouraged to take advantage of relaxed rules that will allow most non-essential retailers to open from 7am until 10pm Monday to Saturday.

The council has so far spent more than £30million supporting businesses through the last 12 months of lockdowns and disrupted trading.

Several million more will be paid out under the new Restart Grant scheme, offering payments of up to £6,000 for non-essential retailers or £18,000 for hospitality and leisure businesses, is due to go live shortly.

Also due to re-open on Monday is the newly refurbished Malvern Splash Leisure Centre.

The pool has been closed throughout the pandemic while a £2million refurb is completed.

Now, however, the revamp has been completed, and customers will be allowed in for the first time on Monday.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin also welcomed the return of businesses, saying: "The vaccination programme is progressing really well and I urge everyone to go and book a jab as soon as they are invited.

"Next week, shops will start to reopen and we’ll be able to re-start meeting people outdoors at pubs, getting haircuts and returning to gyms.

"These are all important steps as we return to normal and although each step is welcome, I’ve been keen to make the point that these decisions must be based on data, not dates.

"Locally, the virus prevalence is thankfully low and vaccine take up is high and I hope that we will speedily get back to doing all the things we love as fast as possible."