Shopping has returned to Helston town centre - and for those that were back welcoming customers today, the signs this morning were positive.
Today marks the first day that the Government is allowing all non-essential shops to reopen, joining food businesses that have been able to serve takeaways but are still unable to welcome customers inside.
Now, however, it's business as usual for shops - almost. All have extra safety measures in place, limiting entry to one or two customers at a time, adding perspex screens to their counters and hand sanitiser as people enter.
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Not all have chosen to reopen today, with many of the national chains still shut in Helston. However, the town's independent businesses have pulled out all the stops to start welcoming customers again and have been rewarded for their efforts.
Lin Turner, Sweet Pea
Lin Turner from Sweet Pea Floral Studio in Meneage Street said: "This morning has been busy - busier than normal. And people are generally just much nicer.
"I hope it continues."
She said her very first customer since reopening was a man who came in to buy a bunch of flowers, just to support her, and this had set the tone for the day.
"It's been really positive," she added.
Jaimie Dixon, Sands
Jaimie Dixon from Sands in Meneage Street had a similar experience, saying: "We've had a really good morning. We were wondering if people would come in, but when we were getting ready people were poking their head in saying they would visit. We're chuffed to bits."
Amanda Holdgate of Head Rush Gifts and Cards in Coinagehll Street said she'd had "a really good day", adding: "I've done very well. There's been a lovely atmosphere, with lots of locals and some new customers.
"I was a little bit nervous, but people have been so supportive. Helston is a good town."
Amanda Holdgate, Head Rush Gifts and Cards
She urged people to stop any negativity, adding: "People definitely need to start being positive about it. We're doing really well, considering it's a small town, and we're all run by local people."
Like many businesses, Sarah and Nigel Walker of Card Sharp in Meneage Street have introduced a two-person maximum limit for the shop, which was full when the Packet visited with one person queuing.
Sarah Walker, Card Sharp
Sarah said custom had been "steady all day", adding that the shop had changed its opening hours from 9.30am to 4.30pm for the time being.
Near-neighbour Steve Richards, from Whirlwind Sports in Meneage Street, said: "It's surreal. I've gone from playing on the Playstation for three months to being back at work!
"It's good to be back and to interact with people. We're full throttled now and the last three days have been a bit crazy getting the shop ready."
Trish Young, from Lillies in Meneage Street, is apprehensive about the future but has done all she can to make sure customers can continue to buy clothes safely.
With changing rooms still having to remain closed, she is giving customers a seven-day period to return items once they've tried them on at home, if they don't fit.
Trish Young, Lillies
Any clothes returned will then be isolated for a week.
Customers are also being asked to use hand sanitiser as they enter, so that they can pick up items.
Mrs K's Fruit and Veg is running an offer today for anyone who spends £10 in a Meneage Street shop, to receive a free punnet of local strawberries and cream while stocks last.
People back in Meneage Street today
Full list of open shops today
Daisy Chain
Hall's
The Natural Store
Whirlwind Sports
Morris Trice Independent Financial Advisors
Lillies
Mrs K's Fruit and Veg
Card Sharp
Shop Locally
Meneage Dental
Superdrug
Boots
Specsavers
Rowe's
Sands
Boo Koos
Sweet Pea
Jenkin's Sweet Shop
Neville J Harris
Wearnes
Pictures and Things
JC Williams
Salt and Vinegar
Gillian's Larder
Vape HQ
Bet Fred
Go Mobile
Bradley's
Bowdens
Forget Me Not (10am-12.30pm) - face masks available
Roy Doble
Barclay's
Head Rush Gifts
Helston Post Office and Londis
Domino's
Coffee Bean (takeaways only)
JJ News
No 42 model shop
Matthews Opticians
KeyExpress
Pet's Pantry
Outback Trading
Also open part time: Coffee Hut Helston (Thursday to Saturday) and Hellys Tea Room (Thursday and Friday)
Reopening tomorrow: Tech-Revive
A note on the door of WH Smith states it will reopen this Thursday, June 18.
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