Shops re-open in Kirkcaldy as lockdown restrictions ease

Shops with on-street access in the High Street opened their doors yesterday (Monday) with social distancing measures in place as restrictions were eased further.

It was the first time many stores have had customers since the Scottish government lockdown came into effect on March 23.

Shops which re-opened in and around Kirkcaldy High Street included: Wilkie’s, WH Smith, River Island, Eloise Jewellery, Waterstone’s, Dorothy Perkins/Burtons, Speedy Snaps and Bliss Beauty.

Catherine Baxter, manager at Wilkies, said they were delighted to be open once again: “We need to get the High Street back to some sort of normality again.

“We have social distancing measures in place in the store including a one-way system for customers along with sanitiser stations and we have a maximum of 12 customers allowed in at one time.

“We were busy today (Monday) and we have a lot of regular customers who are very grateful to see us open again.”

Alice Watson, senior bookseller at Waterstone’s, said the book shop had also been busy on the first day of re-opening: “A lot of our customers were saying ‘thank goodness you are now back open!’ so there was a sense of relief which is nice to hear as I know we are a firm favourite on the High Street.

“It is nice to get back to some sort of normality.”

Alice said they are well prepared for welcoming customers back in to the shop with a one-way system in place, signs encouraging shoppers to keep the two-metre distance as well as hand sanitiser stations.

Sandra Green, manager at Dorothy Perkins/Burtons, said the shop had also been busy yesterday. She along with other staff members had been in the store in the run up to re-opening to make sure all the new measures were in place for social distancing.

She said while the changing room facilities are closed for now, shoppers are able to take items home to try on and then return if they are unsuitable.

Staff were in place at the door to count the number of customers entering and exiting the shop.

She said: “We have been very happy with how the first day has gone and we are all really pleased to be back.”

Louise Canny, owner of Eloise Jewellery, said she had a lot of customers in to the store on the first day back trading: “They were in more so for the workshop to get their jewellery remade or reconditioned and I think I am going to have the goldsmith in for a few extra days because that service has been popular,” she said.

“I have to say I wasn’t nervous about re-opening, I was chapping at the bit! I couldn’t wait to get up and running again and to welcome back the customers who have all been great. It has been really good to get back to as normal as we can.”

Matthew Johnston, manager at Speedy Snaps – which marks its 25th anniversary of trading in the town next month - said: “We were quite busy in the morning with a lot of our regular customers popping in, they have been waiting for us to re-open.

“It is still a bit quiet but I think a lot of people are still a bit frightened to go into shops just yet. But we have been doing some renovations and making the shop compliant to government guidelines so that customers can all feel comfortable when coming in.

“We have taken away the island in the middle of the shop to create more retail space as well as putting in new ceiling lights and flooring.”

He added: “We are really excited to be back.”

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