Watford legend Luther Blissett has said seeing shoppers out and about is a “great site to see” as lockdown restrictions eased further.
The former striker was out in Watford town centre today to reopen the Peace Hospice shop in the Parade, cutting a ribbon at the store earlier this morning.
From today, shops, gyms and close contact services such as hairdressers are all allowed to welcome people back.
Bars, pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve customers outdoors, with groups limited to two households or by the 'rule of six'.
Speaking to the Watford Observer, Blissett said he felt “fantastic” to be back in the town and to reopen the hospice.
He said: “The shop is absolutely incredible. You would not have thought it was a hospice shop, you would think it is a Next or something like that when you walk inside.
“They have done an amazing job, because apparently just six days ago it was stacked with donations and they have gone in there and sorted it all out, it looks amazing.”
Luther Blissett was out in the town centre today to reopen the Peace Hospice shop on the Parade! We managed to speak to him earlier this morning 👇 pic.twitter.com/UFFgVaIhv9
— James Cowen (@JCowen96) April 12, 2021
Speaking about shoppers being out and about for the first time in months, Blissett said: “I think it’s a great site to see, but we must all remember that this thing is not over and we must maintain distancing and washing of the hands and be mindful of other people all the time.
“As long as we all do that, we can slowly transition to start getting back to something near normal.”
Read more - Long queues form outside Primark as shoppers return to town centre
Kiely Ringshall, one of the store managers at the Peace Hospice shop in the Parade, said that the charity is “delighted” to be back.
She said: “We are really happy our customers are back and that they are queuing to come in. It’s just lovely to see them all.”
Lyndsey Hawkins, also a store manager, added: “It is excellent to be open and excellent to be back at work. Just not as busy as I would thought it would be.
“We did wonder if people had bought stuff online but it’s only the first day.”
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