WEST Somerset traders’ leaders warned this week that keeping the area safe must remain the top priority when shops are allowed to reopen under new Government guidelines from June 15.

Under new legislation, a range of West Somerset businesses including seaside arcades, car dealerships, selected gift shops, fashion stores and indoor and outdoor markets, will be allowed to open, paving the way for visitors to return to local tourist hotspots.

“We are all fully aware that we have many elderly and vulnerable residents and their safety is paramount,” said Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead Business Improvement District (BID). “It is a fine balance between reopening the High Street and staying safe.”

He said that BID was working with partners, including the town council, on ways to adapt Minehead’s pedestrian layout for maximum social distancing. They were also helping to finance PPE equipment, sanitisers and signage.

But a note of caution came from John Richards, chairman of Watchet Chamber of Trade (WACET) who said he believed that many small businesses in the town felt that the latest lockdown relaxations were “too much too soon”.

Mr Richards said: “After talking to traders, I really feel we should not open up Watchet until the end of June at the earliest because of the very high risk from visitors.

“I was in Weston-super-Mare on business at the weekend and was astounded by the number of people in the streets and on the beaches and about one in 200 were wearing face-masks and not keeping distances.

“We do not want Watchet to become like that, and with an elderly population, we must be extra careful.”

He urged Watchet traders: “Please think very carefully if you plan to reopen a business, especially one for tourism.”

Mr Richards added: “I can’t speak on behalf of all members but I definitely get the feeling that although Watchet businesses would like to reopen, they are reluctant to do so until the situation becomes clearer.

“It is very difficult for small shops to impose social distancing and from what I have seen in Watchet, many visitors don’t seem to be ‘situationally aware’ of their surroundings.”