There was a festive atmosphere in Marlborough High Street as a large number of shops reopened this morning, Monday June 15. The majority of those reopening, with the exception of Seasalt and White Stuff, are independent traders who have been hit the hardest by the lockdown. They are now hoping that shoppers will support them in what is the new normal.
Karl and Leisa, the Kitchen Sisters’, Love Local campaign reminds us all – ‘use it or lose it.’ (https://marlborough.news/news/love-local-campaign-persuades-shoppers-to-support-marlboroughs-independent-traders/)
The shops have plenty of hand sanitizer and some restrictions on how many customers are allowed in the shop at any one time.
Joe from Sound Knowledge told Marlborough.news, “We’ve put the gazebo out to add to the festive atmosphere. We’ve had a few people in already and phone calls to say many more are coming down later in the day. We have plenty of hand sanitizer and we’re relying on common sense from our customers.”
Festive atmosphere and gazebo outside Sound Knowledge 
Wendy Coles in Quality Stationers and Printers
Vincent Bespoke Menswear, County Jewellers, Quality Stationers and Printers, Marlborough Confectioners in Hughenden Yard are all open. Packaging not Included is open for click and collect orders.
Emma Waring-Jones of Marlborough Confectioners said, “We’re making little steps back to normality. We have plenty of ice-cream and for Father’s Day, fudge boxes and mixed sweet boxes. Why not come in and choose dad’s favourite sweets and we’ll put them in a box.”
As well as the usual stationery products, Quality Stationers is also selling disposable face masks 10 for £10 or 5 for £5.
Ducklings Toy Shop stayed open for online orders and free local delivery throughout lockdown. Owner, Janice Pattison, as she prepared to hang up a few balloons, told Marlborough.news, “We’re looking forward to welcoming back the children to the shop – we’ve missed them.”
During lockdown Ducklings sold a lot of items to assist with exercising on the spot such as pogo sticks and swing balls. Not surprisingly, craft activities and jigsaws were also very popular. Ducklings will be open every day from 10 to 4pm with home delivery continuing outside those hours.
At the White Horse Bookshop, manager Angus McLennan said, “We’re excited but we don’t really know how things will pan out. But I’m the eternal optimist and we’re all in this together. I’m thankful to the supermarkets who have taken the brunt of people getting used to the new normal. The difficulty will come with those who refuse to behave the way they should.”
Customers in the White Horse Bookshop must use handgel and gloves are supplied. Customers cannot use their own gloves.
Cat’s Whiskers in Kingsbury Street is holding a sale to welcome back customers with discounts of between 20% and 50%. They are open Monday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 4pm and appointments can be arranged by calling 01672 511577 or 07712 018543.
Kim Vine is also offering a discount on all collections and is open from 11 to 3.30pm everyday. Private appointments outside these hours are available by emailing KIM@KIMVINE.com.
Seasalt is also offering appointments outside shop hours of 10.30-4pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm, for those customers who wish to try clothes on. Appointments can be made online or in the shop.
The only charity shop opening at the moment is The Emporium of Loveliness which is open everyday from 10am to 4pm. However, the Prospect Hospice Shop near W H Smiths is open as a donation station on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 2pm (3pm on Saturday).
Rainbows in The Parade is open and serving customers from an open doorway. Other shops that are open include: Framemakers, Willow and Wolf, Deacons, Fair Isle, Marlborough Photography, Mystique, The India Shop, Clarkes, WH Smiths, White Stuff, Robins Travel and Elaine’s Travel.
The following shops will be opening soon :
Tuesday June 16 – Beauty Fulltime 9.30-4.30pm, Susie Watson Designs 10-4pm
Monday July 6 – David Dudley Jewellers, Willoughby and Wolf Bridal Boutique(appointment only which can be booked on Facebook or website), and The Merchant’s House Shop.
Marlborough High Street to re-emerge from lockdown hibernation next week
