TRADERS said 'we're glad to be back' as shoppers thronged the high streets of market towns across west Wiltshire when the second lockdown came to an end on Wednesday.

Many non-essential shops and businesses were delighted to reopen their doors while shoppers welcomed the chance to get a hair cut or visit stores that had been closed for a month.

Gill Hawker, 67, of Faverolle Way, Hilperton, was among the many people who browsed stalls in the Trowbridge street market in Fore Street looking for a bargain.

She said: “I just wanted to get out. We don’t shop online and my daughter gets everything for us.”

Ed Greening, 63, from Westbourne Gardens, Trowbridge, had been to the Castle Market to buy some bread and pies, saying: “I don’t particularly like shopping but it is something to do and you have to do it.”

Trowbridge traders were delighted to be back in business and reopening their shops and stalls.

Nigel Evans, of Nigel’s Hair Design in Duke Street, said: “I had customers queuing for a hair cut at 7am this morning. It’s lovely to be back.”

Around the corner, antiques dealer Michael Lojko, of The Old Sweet Works Antiques, Trowbridge’s oldest antiques business, said: “Without a doubt it’s good to be back. We’ve had people phoning us up asking if we are open.”

In Church Walk, Natalie Spillings, 34, of Absolutely Fabulous Flowers, said: “I am over the moon. We’re delighted to be open again.

“We managed to make some deliveries during lockdown but we’re looking forward to a good Christmas as we’re coming up to one of our busiest times of the year.

“Lockdown has been a bit of a struggle. We’re just hoping that there’s not going to be another one.”

At Shoe Zone in Fore Street, Naomi Kalagerou, 47, said they were “pleased” to have reopened.

“We’re part of a national chain and nationwide. The company has closed a few stores but we’re okay.

“We employ seven people here and they’ve kept their jobs - and we’ve definitely missed our customers.”

In The Shires shopping centre, Khan Din, 44, from Chippenham, was behind his counter at the Mobile Booth.

He said: “Yes, it’s good to be open. I have been off work during lockdown with no money coming in and a wife and children to support.

“We repair mobile phones, tables and ipads and sell accessories so we’re hoping trade will be good and busy again.”

Meanwhile, Wiltshire's director of public health, Kate Blackburn issued a dire warning that families mixing over Christmas and the New Year could help to spread the Covid-19 coronavirus

Wiltshire’s director of public Health She said the virus “loves people” and urged residents to keep on taking precautions to safeguard themselves.

She said: “Christmas really is a time when families love to get together and households mix.

“The virus loves people - and the more that people mix, the more chance there is of the virus spreading.

“I would remind people to carry on doing everything necessary to protect themselves.”

She was speaking as two Covid champions from Wiltshire Council handed out care packs containing face masks and sanitisers to passing shoppers outside Trowbridge town hall and Castle Place market.

Mike Bracey, 79, from Victoria Road, Hilperton, refused one of the packs, saying “I think they’re a good thing and it makes people stop and think but I have got bags of masks and sanitisers at home.”

Ms Blackburn says Wiltshire Council has redeployed 36 of its leisure centre staff as Covid champions, operating across Wiltshire.

In addition, around 100 local people had volunteered to become the county’s Covid champions to spread key messages and dispel myths.

“It’s really good to chat to people and help keep them safe. People don’t want to listen to me or Boris Johnson but they will trust their mum or their friends," she said.

Ms Blackburn said the Covid case rate in Wiltshire is on a downward trend. This week it stood at 79 per 100,000 population; last week, it was 136 per 100,000.

“We have seen a decline over the last seven days and that’s really positive,” she added.