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Coronavirus: 'Relief' for Leicester businesses out of lockdown Coronavirus 'relief' for Leicester firms out of lockdown
(32 minutes later)
Owners of restaurants, pubs and hairdressers in Leicester have spoken of their "relief" at being able to open for the first time since March.Owners of restaurants, pubs and hairdressers in Leicester have spoken of their "relief" at being able to open for the first time since March.
Businesses due to ease coronavirus restrictions with the rest of England on 4 July were told on 29 June to remain shut under a local lockdown.Businesses due to ease coronavirus restrictions with the rest of England on 4 July were told on 29 June to remain shut under a local lockdown.
At the end of last week it was announced some hospitality businesses in Leicester could finally reopen. At the end of last week it was announced some hospitality companies in Leicester could finally reopen.
Restaurant owner Dharmesh Lakhani said he was "really happy" to get to work.Restaurant owner Dharmesh Lakhani said he was "really happy" to get to work.
Mr Lakhani, who runs Bobby's on the city's Belgrave Road, is opening at midday and said he was worried it would take businesses in Leicester longer to recover because people would be reluctant to travel there due to the "stigma" of the local lockdown. Mr Lakhani, who runs Bobby's on the city's Belgrave Road, is opening at midday and said he was worried it would take businesses in Leicester longer to recover because people would be reluctant to travel there as a result of the "stigma" of the local lockdown.
"Four-and-a-half months we have been shut. It is quite demoralising," he said."Four-and-a-half months we have been shut. It is quite demoralising," he said.
"We are already one month behind the rest of the country. That was the toughest part. It made us feel inadequate.""We are already one month behind the rest of the country. That was the toughest part. It made us feel inadequate."
Although he said he believed it would be a "slow start", he said he was "really, really excited to finally get a chance to open the business and get into some sort of routine and normality".Although he said he believed it would be a "slow start", he said he was "really, really excited to finally get a chance to open the business and get into some sort of routine and normality".
Blake Edwards, of the Flappers and Gentlemen hair salon, will be opening on Tuesday for the first time since March.Blake Edwards, of the Flappers and Gentlemen hair salon, will be opening on Tuesday for the first time since March.
He said he felt a "massive relief" at finally being able to welcome customers, adding he wanted to make people feel proud of Leicester again.He said he felt a "massive relief" at finally being able to welcome customers, adding he wanted to make people feel proud of Leicester again.
He said the lockdown had "cost the businesses immensely".He said the lockdown had "cost the businesses immensely".
"We know there is a rocky road ahead," said Mr Edwards."We know there is a rocky road ahead," said Mr Edwards.
"We are happy but aware safety is the number one priority. We don't want any more setbacks.""We are happy but aware safety is the number one priority. We don't want any more setbacks."
He said as well as affecting the mental health of people working in Leicester, the lockdown had taken a toll on business owners like himself who had to go to bed "working out whether they can still carry on employing the team".He said as well as affecting the mental health of people working in Leicester, the lockdown had taken a toll on business owners like himself who had to go to bed "working out whether they can still carry on employing the team".
"You really have had to be mentally strong," he said, adding the reopening of businesses would "hopefully start pushing Leicester in the direction it deserves"."You really have had to be mentally strong," he said, adding the reopening of businesses would "hopefully start pushing Leicester in the direction it deserves".
Sarah Gillett, manager of the Market Tavern in Market Place, said the pub would be opening at 10:00 BST.Sarah Gillett, manager of the Market Tavern in Market Place, said the pub would be opening at 10:00 BST.
She said she felt "very relieved", adding "it has been a long time coming".She said she felt "very relieved", adding "it has been a long time coming".
"We don't know how it is going to be. We don't know whether people will still come out or be nervous."We don't know how it is going to be. We don't know whether people will still come out or be nervous.
"I don't know how everyone is going to take the rules and regulations. If everyone does what they are told it will be fine."I don't know how everyone is going to take the rules and regulations. If everyone does what they are told it will be fine.
"Alcohol and common sense don't mix well but we don't want to spoil anyone's fun."Alcohol and common sense don't mix well but we don't want to spoil anyone's fun.
"I am a bit apprehensive, but this time next week we will wonder what we were worried about, I'm sure.""I am a bit apprehensive, but this time next week we will wonder what we were worried about, I'm sure."
Sandra Potts, of Sandra May's Hair Studio, in the city centre, said she cried with excitement on the way to open up for the first time in 19 weeks.
"One of the other businesses who opened earlier said you could hear a pin drop on Cank Street but I said 'don't worry we will bring back the noise'.
"But we have lost customers, we know we have. People are scared to come to Leicester but we are safe, we are good, we will do everything to make it work."
Advice on travelling to and from Leicester has also been clarified.Advice on travelling to and from Leicester has also been clarified.
Residents could make non-essential journeys and travel in and out of the city as of Friday. As of 31 July residents have been able to make non-essential journeys and travel in and out of the city.
Overnight stays are permitted from Monday as long as they are not in other people's homes. Overnight stays are permitted from Monday providing they are not in other people's homes.
In common with various parts of northern England, there is a ban on visiting people's homes, either indoors or in private gardens.In common with various parts of northern England, there is a ban on visiting people's homes, either indoors or in private gardens.
Holidays are allowed, though only in company of people you already live with, and travellers must not stay in another person's home while away. Holidays are allowed, though only in company of people you already live with, and travellers must not stay in another person's home while they are away.
Oadby and Wigston, on the edge of the city, came out of additional restrictions from 1 August, meaning a return to national social distancing guidelines.Oadby and Wigston, on the edge of the city, came out of additional restrictions from 1 August, meaning a return to national social distancing guidelines.
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.