Shops re-open in Coventry city centre as Tier 3 restrictions begin

Non-essential retail is able to open for the first time in a month



Traders in Coventry city centre are welcoming shoppers back through their doors for the first time in a month today.

The national lockdown imposed last month has ended and the city, along with the rest of Warwickshire, Solihull and large parts of the West Midlands, begins life in Tier 3 restrictions today.

For those outlets allowed to re-open, today marks the start of their efforts to make up lost ground in the pre-Christmas rush.

But whether shoppers will travel into the city, or will remain at home using online retailers instead, remains to be seen.

The next few weeks could prove to be make or break for businesses who have suffered massive downturns in trade because of the Covid-19 pandemic and enforced closures.

While retail outlets are now able to open, many hospitality venues, pubs and restaurants, must remain closed unless offering a takeaway or delivery service.

That could have a knock-on effect on footfall in the city centre today and until December 16 when the current Tier will be reviewed by the government.

Half the market stalls were still closed. According to a note pasted on the shutters at least one of them though lockdown didn't end until tomorrow, it's possible others did too?

The food and Christmas Card stalls predictably were open but few others. I didn't notice many shoppers about either.

You'd think they'd have finished any building work while the shops were closed instead of forcing what few shoppers remain in the city centre to negotiate a building site?


(Image: CoventryLive / Chris Gordon)