MONDAY'S all-clear for non-essential stores to start trading again was welcomed with relief by local business leaders. As the week progressed, more shops opened – in Porlock, for instance, over half the shops were back in business.

Minehead BID manager Andrew Hopkins said traders were enduring the most difficult trading year the town had ever known: “But they are determined to salvage what is left of the year and we are looking to local people to support them,” he said.

In Minehead this week customers queued patiently and accepted restricted numbers and one-way systems imposed by Somerset West and Taunton Council.

“It’s something most people have got used to already and I am sure they will find it a small price to pay for the convenience of being able to visit their favourite local businesses again,” Mr Hopkins said.

“We have put a lot of detailed planning – and funding – into this operation and we were far more prepared for reopening than many other towns in the South West.’

Temporary pavement widening in The Parade allowed social distancing to be observed – at the expense of 25 free, on-street parking spaces but, as car park charges remained suspended, the impact was expected to be limited.

Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead BID, said shops had completed risk assessments, with certificates displayed in their windows, and other precautions such as hand sanitisers and counter screens in place.

He said some elderly customers were still worried about a possible second spike in Covid-19 cases and would probably prefer to stay home for another two weeks or so.

“But this will give us valuable time to allow the new regime to bed down so that everything should be running perfectly by the time trade returns to its full pre-lockdown level,” he said.

“We have had numerous meetings over the past few weeks with local authorities and the police as well as with suppliers of protective equipment and sign makers. We have done all we can to put the town’s commercial life back on a nearly-normal but entirely safe footing.”