Across the country the ‘great unlocking’ will take place from 12th April as non-essential stores can reopen to customers. Which ones will do so in Ludlow? Here are the businesses who’ve told us they are reopening. For a more detailed list see our A-Z directory.
Salons, beauty, leisure & photography
hair cut envy
Although I have happily embraced my relaxed indoor-as-outdoor look as much as anyone, I am truly ready for a bit of pampering that doesn’t include domestic interruptions such as answering the phone or reading your emails. Or, deciding, while you have a facial or deep conditioner, it’s a good time to multi-task, so you do the ironing, washing, cooking, working out etc. Not as relaxing as a pampering session should be, is it? Massages and facials will soon be available at spas around town, so book yours in. We are also missing our hairdressers and barbers and the 12 April is not only the day of the great unlock, but may also be the day a few of the lucky ones sport a great new look! Either way hair salons and barbers are back in business. To add to the sparkle of the new you, Teme Leisure Centre is also reopening so you can keep up that activity you are sure to have started during lockdown. Do keep an eye out for the reopening schedule on their Facebook page which is kept more up to date. Finally, after all the polish and primping, it may be time for a professional photographer to document that change. Colin Toogood at Picturegrafix is back behind the camera for weddings and other photography services done safely.
Holiday lets & accommodation
Current rules allow for self contained accommodation to begin having guests from 12th April but hotels and other holiday lets are due to reopen a bit later in May. Our area of the county may see more visitors helped by a potential staycationing boom as summer travel is likely to become more difficult and people seek out hidden gems like Ludlow in the British Isles. Geographically, here at LGL, the boundaries of South Shropshire are gently elasticated based in part on the ancient history of the Welsh Marches and the old and new constituency. We take Ludlow as a central point to journey to other fantastic places of interest within a short drive of the town centre, just as we hope tourists will do when they visit.
Eateries
Hard to believe that it was well over a year ago, we took a stroll and if we felt like it, we stopped for a bite to eat at any of the cafes, restaurants and pubs in our town. A number of our restaurants and cafes responded to the pandemic by offering delivery and takeaway services where possible. Local takeaways also kept operating, giving many households a break from cooking. Soon, cafés, pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces will serve customers again, with safety as a priority. This is a short list of those saying they’re back in business.
Retailers
Doors of a number of clothing, hardware, gift shops and other retailers will be open from 12 April.
Show the love and support our local shops and businesses. Ironmongers, Rickards of Ludlow will reopen along with jewellers, C.W. Sellors and Lloyd Jewellers. The CK mobile phone repair shop is back to help repair broken mobile screens and dreams. If you’ve made a promise to declutter and to change your fashion buying habits check out our local charity shops, as well as vintage stores including the pre-loved clothing dress agency, Expensive Mistakes.
Future festivals
Ludlow is a town known for its festivals and, so far, the good news is that a few of them have been green lit. The Ludlow Food Festival’s Mangalonga will likely shape shift into an event that suits our new normal, while its eponymous event will return in late summer. Also in receipt of good news is the Ludlow Fringe Festival, which aims to deliver its wide-ranging arts and entertainment programme digitally and with live performances. This year’s festival will also include the visual treat that is the Arts Trail.
In addition, we are thrilled to learn one of the town’s biggest landmarks, The Ludlow Castle, is also ready for guests and customers to enter their premises. Along with the great unlock, the flourishing daffodils, the fresh green of wild garlic lying plush on the forest floor all signal that spring time is truly here.