AS Cornwall comes out of lockdown and enters Tier One today, shoppers are being urged to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas to ensure they survive into the new year.

Normally the streets of Falmouth would have thronged with shoppers for weeks as they picked up Christmas presents, but this year Covid has put paid to that. Some businesses were still closed, but the town was busy-ish with shoppers and people who just wanted to get out and about after being cooped up for a month.

Falmouth Packet:

Alex May, co-owner of Beacon Coffee, has remained open for takeaways during the lockdown but said it had been lonely being one of only two businesses open on Falmouth's High Street.

"I think the main thing is being able to open and operate again. Having our neighbours back in business is great, it's been quite a lonely experience being the only two businesses open on the High Street.

"We are a big neighbourly community and it's been a lonely experience.

"It has been busy. It's been quite a surprise to be as busy as we were but it's great to see the other businesses and have the life back. It's a sense of relief for businesses because they are getting back to what they love doing."

Falmouth Packet:

Katie Lazenby of Little Nelly selling children's clothes on Church Street said she had bought a load of Winter and Christmas stock just before the lockdown struck and she had not been able to sell it. She hoped customers would come in a snap it up.

"It's lovely to be back, she said "I'm really excited, really happy to be here. We have lots of regulars it'll be nice to see their faces."

"I have tried to do a little bit online but it's not really my strengths, it is on the High Street creating the collection. There has been help from the government that's helped pay to remain in business but I am just really hoping to sell some of the new stock and Christmas stock I bought in October. Just as it arrived before half-term we had to shut down. I have bumper stock so I really hoping people haven't done their shopping on-line. I hope that people really want to support the high street."

Falmouth Packet:

Mandy Kemp, owner of Jam Records on the High Street said November was usually a quiet time for her but was glad to be back.

"It's a good thing," she said. "This lockdown seemed different more low-key, where as the first one felt we were all in together. It's going to be difficult as quite a lot of people do a lot of shopping online. We will see if it [the lockdown] has changed people's habits. Everybody can see the state of the high street if people are able to support it, it is very much appreciated.

"I know you can get it cheaper and quicker online and it's not always possible but, where it is possible, if people can support us, it makes a world of difference to independent businesses."