Mercia slowly coming back to life

THE many shops at Marcia Marina that were closed due to the lockdown are slowly starting to reopen as restrictions are lifted.

Many retailers had to close their doors at the end of March after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that non-essential retailers should close.

Just two remained open

The Beetroot Tree Café has remained open for takeaways as did convenience store Still Waters.

Now, plant and flower shop Horticulture 4 has reopened as has the popular restaurant, Lotus Indian Kitchen, with a takeaway service. Both are following government guidance around social distancing and hygiene. 

Horticulture allows a maximum of two customers inside, payment is by card and hand sanitiser is provided, but operating slightly reduced hours, 10-3pm daily, while Lotus is open from 5-10pm for takeaways. The Beetroot Tree café has extended its opening hours from 9am to 3pm.

Other retailers

Other retailers including Black by Design, Twigg Home and Start and Tremayne have remained open online and Merchant’s Jewellers has also launched its new website.

Bookings are now being taken for stays from 4th July onwards in the popular luxury lodges at the marina, in anticipation of further easing of the lockdown.

Alina Hudson, who runs Horticulture 4, explained:

“The 24th March we will remember very well! To be told we were on lockdown and couldn’t open was the worst news we could hear.  The biggest problem is that our industry relies on these three months of April, May and June to produce our main income for the rest of the year.

“However, it just meant we had to find a new way to market through the internet and social media sales and offering a contactless delivery service.

“After the horticulture sector was allowed to open last week we decided to open the shop and with some social distancing measures in place we was back open for business.  At the end of the day we just need to respect each other and be sensible.”