Open Doors 2020 is cancelled. But, from tomorrow, we find doors opening of a more mundane though very encouraging kind.
I often wonder what shopkeepers of non-essential stores think about being tagged as somehow secondary or slightly unimportant. But, whatever, from tomorrow, they get their chance to reopen and many of them have over the last three weeks been preparing for this moment.
Friday was the biggest announcement of the lockdown to date, and it certainly appeared particularly optimistic in town on that day, with a number of shop doors open for readying and staff busying and preparing themselves to salvage something of their summer trade.
We're being asked to "do one last lap of the stay local restrictions". The five mile rule-of-thumb remains so, in theory at least, Rhuthun/Ruthin till July 6th is open for Ruthinians only, for our own, and for local villagers only. This distance remains within the boundaries of safe public health practice, according to the Welsh government. We shouldn't be visiting Broughton retail park or even Yr Wyddgrug/Mold or even Dinbych, and this could be a small fillip for the local Rhuthun high street.
The slight fly in the ointment is the typical Rhuthun shop footprint, which makes the 6′ 6″ expectation somewhat difficult. It will lead to queues, perhaps, though unlike those in England's larger centres. But, we're used to them, by now.
Meanwhile, hairdressers who struggle to cut hair at a distance of 6′ 6″ are given notice that they may resume in three weeks' time. But there's no good news for coffee, wine or beer drinkers: pubs, restaurants and cafés remain closed with no indication of a reopening date.
A measured though accelerated approach, nevertheless, with changes once a week.
Other shops with activity on Friday included Mococo (below), Hide Away, Escape and Siop Elfair. The three carpet shops have simply carried on with intermittent opening as if nothing's changed.
Meanwhile, we will need to prepare to welcome tourists and visitors back from July 6th. Will lavatories be open? Car park charges reinstated? Moel Famau and Loggerheads? What about visitor attractions, such as the craft centre?
Lastly, with non-essential shops opening and the prospect of visitors arriving, we need to consider whether this will bring with it north west England's higher R number. Lockdown in Wales has protected our rural area against the worst of covid-19. Wales has kept the R more-or-less under control but that isn't the case in every part of England. Actually, Dr David Bailey of the BMA is already warning against complacency.
Notice in Reebee's window
I often wonder what shopkeepers of non-essential stores think about being tagged as somehow secondary or slightly unimportant. But, whatever, from tomorrow, they get their chance to reopen and many of them have over the last three weeks been preparing for this moment.
Lights on at Cefi on Friday, following an external paint up in vogue-ish grey
Friday was the biggest announcement of the lockdown to date, and it certainly appeared particularly optimistic in town on that day, with a number of shop doors open for readying and staff busying and preparing themselves to salvage something of their summer trade.
Choo Choo has painted up its two remaining premises over the last three weeks, including here, also in grey. Sadly, the third, that in the former Dodd's estate agency is to close
We're being asked to "do one last lap of the stay local restrictions". The five mile rule-of-thumb remains so, in theory at least, Rhuthun/Ruthin till July 6th is open for Ruthinians only, for our own, and for local villagers only. This distance remains within the boundaries of safe public health practice, according to the Welsh government. We shouldn't be visiting Broughton retail park or even Yr Wyddgrug/Mold or even Dinbych, and this could be a small fillip for the local Rhuthun high street.
Thursday's paint up... again in grey...but Lads and Dads can't reopen, yet
The slight fly in the ointment is the typical Rhuthun shop footprint, which makes the 6′ 6″ expectation somewhat difficult. It will lead to queues, perhaps, though unlike those in England's larger centres. But, we're used to them, by now.
Friday prep at Trefor Jones
Meanwhile, hairdressers who struggle to cut hair at a distance of 6′ 6″ are given notice that they may resume in three weeks' time. But there's no good news for coffee, wine or beer drinkers: pubs, restaurants and cafés remain closed with no indication of a reopening date.
Reebee's has also enjoyed a paint-up
A measured though accelerated approach, nevertheless, with changes once a week.
Preparations behind makeshift blinds at Siop Nain
Other shops with activity on Friday included Mococo (below), Hide Away, Escape and Siop Elfair. The three carpet shops have simply carried on with intermittent opening as if nothing's changed.
Meanwhile, we will need to prepare to welcome tourists and visitors back from July 6th. Will lavatories be open? Car park charges reinstated? Moel Famau and Loggerheads? What about visitor attractions, such as the craft centre?
Lastly, with non-essential shops opening and the prospect of visitors arriving, we need to consider whether this will bring with it north west England's higher R number. Lockdown in Wales has protected our rural area against the worst of covid-19. Wales has kept the R more-or-less under control but that isn't the case in every part of England. Actually, Dr David Bailey of the BMA is already warning against complacency.