We’ve missed you! Visitors flock back to Inverness city centre as coronavirus-related restrictions are eased allowing shops and beer gardens to open once again
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Inverness city centre is expected to get busier and busier after the easing of coronavirus-related lockdown restrictions yesterday.
Business will pick up after wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of hardy shoppers who were keen to show their support to shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants across the city – many of which were open for the first time this year.
Hospitality businesses were preparing to welcome tourists while gyms, swimming pools, visitor attractions, public buildings and close-contact services such as beauty salons were all able to reopen.
“There is already a tremendous buzz about the place,” said Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
“The virus is still very much around and we need to remain cautious but the opening of our shops, restaurants and other businesses is a very important next step and something for us all to welcome.
“We have all missed our favourite local shops and restaurants greatly and I’m sure I won’t be alone in getting out and about this week to show them how much we’ve missed them.
“These small business owners and their staff have sacrificed a lot over the last year and it will only be with our support – by spending our money locally – that they will be able to recover and thrive moving forward.”
Yesterday was exactly four months on from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon imposing the latest lockdown in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19.
Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID), said it was good to see people in the city centre once more with demand shown by queues forming outside Primark, TK Maxx and H&M at breakfast time.
He said: “It has been a good morning. It rained earlier so I think it has been a gradual build up but it is a lot busier in the city centre now. It is great to see businesses back and they are all so enthusiastic about reopening and welcoming customers.”
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson thinks everyone will be keen to go to coffee shops, pubs and restaurants again.
“We have missed having company, and I don’t know about others, but I am looking forward to paying someone else to prepare the food on my plate,” she said.
“Our hospitality businesses have had a tough year. Let’s hope for a great spring and summer.”
Inverness Hotels Association chairman Emmanuel Moine, manager of the Glen Mhor Hotel, was pleased tourists could be welcomed again.
“We have been waiting for this for months,” he said. “Today everybody is a bit stressed and anxious but it’s exciting because we are going to see guests coming back – the only disappointment is the weather but what can you do? At least we are open.”
Yesterday restrictions were also eased which allowed travel to other UK countries, driving lessons and tests could restart, up to 50 people were allowed to attend funerals and weddings, and more people from different households were allowed to meet in public spaces.
Several more measures are set to ease from May 17.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael thanked locals for their forbearance and sticking to the rules, acknowledging they are hard for everyone.
“We will now see all that sacrifice beginning to pay off as retailers reopen and hospitality opens again outdoors,” she said. “This is a tremendous boost for businesses in Inverness and I would encourage people to take the opportunity to visit our fabulous array of shops and restaurants, which will build confidence and help kick-start the recovery.
“All hospitality and businesses have been made aware of the Covid-19 guidelines and they will be following them to ensure the safety of all customers.”
