15 pictures to celebrate Dacorum businesses reopening on April 12

Businesses across Dacorum have been welcoming back customers this week as England enters stage two of the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown.

From April 12, many businesses were allowed to reopen their doors after months of lockdown.

The Gazette has spoken to some businesses across Dacorum as they welcome back customers after months of lockdown.

Leisure Centres

Leisure centres in Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted - run by Everyone Active - reopened yesterday (April 12) and had more than 1,000 gym sessions booked across both sites.

Steve Cox, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “It’s been an amazing day welcoming back the local community.

"After being closed for more than three months, we’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response from our customers for the reopening of both Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre and Berkhamsted Leisure Centre today.

“We’ve had more than 1,000 gym sessions booked across both sites and an influx of new customers joining.

"We’ve also resumed swimming lessons and school swimming at our centres, and have had more than 400 swimming sessions booked across both sites.

"We’re committed to keeping our customers safe and active, and advise them to read our pledge and safety measures here before visiting their local leisure centre.”

Hairdressers and Barber shops

Alchemy and I, Cecily Spa and Koha Skin Clinic in Berkhamsted all reopened on April 12. Haylee Benton, CEO and founder of the three businesses, said: "My teams and I are all incredibly excited to be back at work and to be re-welcoming clients to Alchemy and I, Cecily Spa and Koha Skin Clinic.

"While we’ve been on lockdown, everyone at our salon, spa and clinic has continued to work unbelievably hard to enhance every element of the client experience, so we are thrilled to finally be able to share this with our clients.

"The last year has been tough in so many ways, but we’re so lucky to have such a resilient team who have fought through all of the difficulties the pandemic has thrown our way.

"I’m so proud of everyone, and to finally get everyone back together to do what we all love is a feeling like no other."

Chaulden Barber Shop reopened its doors yesterday (April 12), and had a constant stream of customers throughout the day - they are operating walk-in system and there is a track and trace book in the shop.

Waqas Hussain, of Chaulden Barber Shop, said: "It was amazing to see the local faces again, that was the main thing and being able to just chat to people again."

Non-essential shops

The shopping centres in Hemel Hempstead were delighted to welcome back shoppers yesterday (April 12) as non-essentials shops reopened.

Both Riverside Shopping Centre and The Marlowes have enhanced cleaning regimes, signs to guide customers and social distancing measures in place.

Humphrey Mwanza, General Manager at The Marlowes, said: “We’re delighted to welcome visitors back to The Marlowes in a safe and controlled manner.

"Protecting the health and safety of guests and staff will remain our number one priority, with enhanced sanitation and social distancing measures in place throughout the centre.

"We’ve reintroduced our traffic light system back to The Marlowes, to inform the community about the best times to shop.

"This is being communicated via our social media channels and website, where guests can also keep up to date with the stores that are open at the centre."

As well as non-essential shops reopening, Cappucio, The Story Cafe, Café Nero and Jenny’s in the town centre have also opened for outdoor dining.

Ian Welland, Centre Manager at Riverside Shopping Centre, said: "We’re delighted to confirm the re-opening of non-essential stores here at Riverside Shopping Centre has gone extremely well, seeing popular stores such as Debenhams and TK Maxx having Covid safe workable queueing systems in place.

"Customers can continue to expect this safe environment when visiting all stores with enhanced cleaning regimes, signage to guide customers on social distancing and one-way walking systems.

"We will be continuing to work hard to ensure the shoppers of Hemel can enjoy a safe shopping experience and we’re looking forward to welcoming our visitors back here to Riverside Shopping Centre."

Among those businesses that have reopened are charity shops, which are a major source of income for Rennie Grove Hospice Care and The British Red Cross in Dacorum.