15th June 2020: Non-essential Shops Reopen

June 15^th 2020 Non-essential Shops re-open

Plymouth city centre, the independent quarter and indoor market, the barbican shops and galleries re-opened on June 15^th. 

These shops have been closed for nearly three months since the coronavirus lockdown started. Some popular stores in the city centre had long queues on this first day of trading after temporary closure, I think people want a bit of ‘normality’ back, although in reality it felt strange to see the streets buzzing with people again and day to day life is still far from normal.

The first things I purchased were from two independent shops on the barbican, a lino-print black and white father’s day card from 45 Southside Gallery, by an artist called Jan Brewerton. Followed by two fabric facemasks from Rockpool Trading, one of them has cute white rabbits on a blue patterned background. Both of these businesses sell artistic gifts and beautiful handmade things by local artists and manufacturers based in Devon and Cornwall, so it’s great to see them open again.