It feels so good to be open again, say traders );
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BUSINESSES in Henley are celebrating a partial return to normal after the third national coronavirus lockdown was eased.
From Monday, shops not considered “essential” by the Government were permitted to
re-open with social distancing measures in place and customers and staff required to wear face coverings and sanitise their hands.
Restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés, which could only serve takeaways after the lockdown was imposed on December 28, can now serve food and drink outdoors to groups of up to six people from different households.
Beauty salons, barbers and hairdressers can also trade while taking precautions, including partitioned areas for each customer and regular cleaning of tools and workstations.
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BUSINESSES in and around Henley are hoping to make up for lost time as they prepare to re-open on Monday.
Non-essential retailers, including clothes shops, are allowed to trade again, bringing some relief to the embattled high street hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Hairdressers, beauty and nail salons and gyms can also open.
Pubs and restaurants can serve food and alcohol outdoors only. The rule of six up to six people, or two separate households will apply, as will social distancing rules and the wearing of a face masks.
It will be the first time in months that these many businesses have been able to earn any money.
Businesses say lockdown grants won’t cover losses );
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BUSINESS owners in Henley say the grants being offered by the Government will not be enough to offset the damage of the latest lockdown.
People in retail, hospitality and leisure can apply for between £4,000 and £9,000 per property depending on its rateable value.
This is part of a £4.6 billion package announced by the Treasury, while the employee furlough scheme has been extended to April.
The national lockdown has forced all non-essential businesses to close for the third time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning they still have bills to pay while receiving no income.