BUSINESSES in Oxford are today welcoming customers back as the country takes its next step on the roadmap out of lockdown.

Non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants, gyms and hair salons are reopening after nearly four months of being closed.

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Business owners have been busy making preparations to make sure their sites are Covid safe.

One of the city’s most popular shopping destinations, Oxford’s Covered Market, is now fully open to customers.

During lockdown, it was open for essential shops and a number of traders continued to use it to offer click and collect and delivery services.

Oxford Mail:

But now, all shops are open and the city council has been working with traders to incorporate the latest Government guidance and to make their units as safe as possible for shoppers.

Elaine Philip, markets manager at Oxford City Council, said: “The Covered Market is a much-loved community asset and the city council is focused on reopening it to support over 50 small independent traders and their customers.

"It’s a key step towards welcoming shoppers back into the city centre safely.”

Shoppers will still be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings; and traders must provide hand sanitisers; leave doors open so shoppers do not have to touch door handles; and restrict the number of people inside.

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The market will be open seven days a week and trading hours will return to Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on Sundays from April 18.

Some of the Covered Market’s restaurants and cafes can only offer a take-away service, but the Government has indicated in the next stage of lockdown restrictions lifting that these businesses could reopen fully from mid-May.

Oxford Mail:

Nearly 500 businesses across Oxfordshire are accredited by VisitEngland with ‘We’re Good to Go’ and the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travel’s accreditation.

As a globally recognised destination the county has a lot to offer locals and visitors.

Traders at Oxford’s Gloucester Green Market have also been gearing up to reopen on Wednesday.

The market, which is run by LSD Promotions on behalf of Oxford City Council, will return to its normal operating days of Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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People can once again enjoy street food from more than 20 countries and the site has been adapted to comply with social distancing rules.

Visitors will see a more spacious layout of stalls, hand sanitising stations and traders are encouraged to install screens.

Dermot McGillicuddy, operational director at LSD Promotions, said: “We are so happy to bring back the heartbeat of the city.

“Gloucester Green market represents everything that is good about Oxford and we are already talking to the many artists and artisans who visit us to welcome them back to display their skills amongst the finest traders in the county.

“The marketplace is all outside and has the best international street food on offer in the UK.”

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