"It's very strange": Kettering shoppers return to the new normal

"We're all just getting used to the new working processes."

'Non-essential' shops opened their doors in Kettering today for the first time since they were forced to close because of the Covid crisis.

There was a steady stream of customers as they made their back to phone shops, clothes outlets, jewellers, book stores and more with new measures in place designed to stop the spread of the killer virus.

Many shops had queues outside with markings to make sure people keep their social distance, with lengthy queues outside the town's banks and the Post Office.

One of those out shopping was 26-year-old mum-of-two Taylor Rowe. She said: "I've been a bit wary about going shopping but seeing all of the measures in place has really helped.

"It's very strange but it's just going to be like this until there's a vaccine I suppose."

David May, 53, said: "It's nice to see a bit of normality return. I popped into town to get a couple of bits a few weeks ago and it was empty."

Opening today for the first time since the pandemic forced it to close was book store Waterstones, which has introduced new signs and arrows and hand sanitiser.

Staff are wearing face shields, furniture has been removed and books that are picked up whilst browsing are then placed onto a trolley.

Book seller Sally Cretu said: "It's been steady so far. I think people are coming in and enjoying browsing.

"It's weird and now it's just about getting used to it."

In the Newlands Shopping Centre stickers have been placed on the floor to direct shoppers with hand sanitiser points.

There was a queue outside TK Maxx with stores such as HMV and H&M also opening.

At O2, staff are wearing face shields with strict limits on the number of customers inside the store.

Manager Shane Wallington said: "The measures we've put in place do help you feel a bit more safe and secure.

"It's just making sure the public adhere to it but it has worked so far."

Just opposite Holland & Barrett has also put in measures with no more than four customers allowed into the store at one time.

It's Josh Higgins' first day as manager and he said they have had a good response so far.

Small queues were forming outside Three and popular butchers Jamie's, which has been doing a roaring trade in the lockdown period.

The KCU charity shop just a stone's throw away is set to open tomorrow (Tuesday), according to a sign outside.

About 10 people were in the queue for B&M when reporters from the Northants Telegraph visited.

At jewellers AA Thornton they have brought in 17m of perspex screens with rigorous cleaning procedures and a UV cleaning device on the counter.

Popular local coffee shop chain Bewiched was open for takeaways, taking advantage of the closure of the High Street's two Costa Coffees.

McDonald's and Greggs, usually the High Street's two busiest fast-food joints, remain closed for now.

Newland Street was busier with queues outside Wilko and people waiting for a bus.

At stationers Colemans footprints have been sprayed on the pavement outside to help queues as the store opened for the first time today.

Staff are wearing face shields with screens at the tills and a one-way system in-store.

Manager Liz Bierton said: "We're all just getting used to the new working processes.

"It's been steady so far. We have had queues of customers who have been very patient and understanding."

Another store opening for the first time today was nearby Vape Junkies, which has introduced a one-way system.

Owner Roger Berry said they had been forced to throw away stock with business down between 70 and 75 per cent during the lockdown. He thinks it will take them the rest of the year to get back to where they were.

He said: "We were in a good place before Covid came and then it put us back. It's been steady so far but it will take us time to get back to where we were."

But not all stores have re-opened their doors today.

Clothes stores such as Dorothy Perkins, Peacocks and Select remained closed because of the pandemic.

Another store which isn't opening it's doors just yet is The Bean Hive, which has since launched an online website with click and collect and deliveries in Kettering, and has had a good start so far.

Owner Davina Parkhouse said: "Until I am comfortable and my staff are comfortable we are not opening the shop.

"The shop does not suit it (social distancing). It isn't 2m wide in most places."

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