Chichester business owners speak as shoppers return

Landlord of the Chichester Inn in West Street, Nick Webb, said business has been good today and is expected to get busier as the week progresses.

He said: "It's been good long as we don't get more snow like this morning. A normal Monday is usually quieter than this so certainly later this afternoon and this evening we are going to be quite heavily booked I think.

"Particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Tuesday or Wednesday there is still probably a space.

"It's nice to see people back and they've got a bit of sunshine and they are happy."

But there is still plenty to look forward to too, Nick said, as restrictions ease and the pub can bring back its array of live music events in June.

Nick's son, Elliot, added: "It's been a nice busy start and we have had lots of bookings so as long as the weather holds up we are looking okay. It's lovely to have all the customers back at the Chichester Inn and we look forward to seeing everybody very soon."

Meg Windell, owner of florists Hedge Rose in The Hornet, said: "It's been very nice and there has been some very positive feedback. It's nice to see everybody really and to talk to people face-to-face.

"People are wanting to keep the high street and support the local independent shops. I think it is more important now to support everybody while we can really.

"We have been quite fortunate in that we have been doing quite a lot of online services for deliveries and we had Mother's Day and Valentines' Day and we have done a lot of telephone orders and things like that — but to see people face-to-face coming in and actually buying something off the shelf is a bit more exciting really."

Hedge Rose has hired new staff and is now looking at possibly taking on more with a busy summer of weddings ahead.

Meg added: "Touch wood, if everybody supports local i think it should be quite a good outcome really."