Axminster traders are in high spirits as they make final preparations for reopening on Monday, April 12.

With further easing of lockdown restrictions next week, non-essential retail, gyms and personal care businesses such as hairdressers will be allowed to reopen for the first time this year.

Hospitality businesses including pubs and restaurants will also be able to serve customers in outdoor areas before indoor opening on May 17.

To encourage shoppers back to the high street, Axminster Totally Locally has now released a video featuring many familiar faces from the town's shops and businesses.

The video, made with Ric Edgell from Ric's Kitchen, shows shopkeepers making final preparations for reopening and sharing a 'shop local' message.

East Devon District Council is also encouraging shoppers back to their local high streets with a #StayLocalShopSafe campaign,

The Reopening of the High Streets programme is supporting the district-wide media campaign to inform residents and visitors about how to use their high streets and town centres safely and showcasing how local businesses are responding to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting, evolving and reaching out to their community, offering safe and responsive ways to access the goods and services that they need.

The 'Reopening High Streets Safely' fund means East Devon District Council has been able to put additional measures in place across towns and public spaces to enable safe trading environments for businesses and customers.

The Streetscene team have rolled out a number of temporary public realm changes; this includes the provision of hand sanitiser stations, safety signage and pavement markings.

Furthermore, the Environmental Health team have recruited two COVID Compliance Officers whose role is to support local businesses.

Chief Executive of East Devon District Council, Mark Williams said: We are delighted to see the reopening of our high streets. Retailers in East Devon have worked incredibly hard during the national lockdown to create COVID secure shopping experiences so that products and services can be accessed safely.

"We are now calling on local residents to rediscover their high street, remain local and stay safe whilst also supporting the multitude of great independent businesses on offer."

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