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Shoppers returned to independent retailers in West Malling today, although several decided to remain closed or open on another day.
Peter McDermott was standing outside Andrew Smith jewelers on high street, waiting to get his limited edition watch repaired, which had been inscribed with footballer Michael Owen’s signature.
The accessory, which was a birthday present from his wife seven years ago, had been broken since before lockdown and his first job today was getting it fixed.
The Leybourne man said: “The wife keeps saying 'don’t forget to go to the shop'. Everyone is out in force today. I’m retired and we walk up here most days.”
He said it was the busiest the high street had been since the pandemic but not fully back to normal.
Andrew Smith, who founded his jewelry store 31 years ago, says he was surprised by how busy his shop has been today, with about 25 people coming in.
Only one customer is allowed in at a time and he says some have not been following the social distancing guidelines in the shop and leaning over the counter, and not staying behind the yellow line.
This has led Andrew to purchase two more screens to go up on the counter this morning, from a Sevenoaks shop.
Mr Smith said: “I didn’t know it was going to be this busy because we were shut for so long.
“It’s been mainly watch batteries and strap repairs. We have had diamond earrings and pearl earrings bought for birthdays.”
He said the street was definitely busier this morning, saying: "I was in here on Friday doing some admin and I noticed the traffic was almost back to normal.”
Claire Thompson from Coco and Bloom florists said she had enjoyed welcoming customers back and seeing her regulars.
“It has been a good morning. It has been busy in the high street. It seems to definitely I would say be going back to normal.
“We we’re doing online orders and speaking to customers over the phone but it’s just not the same as seeing people in person and having that relationship.”
Some two officers from Right Guard Security were patrolling the high street, after coming from Tonbridge.
The security company has been asked by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to provide patrols and help shops with controlling their social distancing measures and queues.
Officers are used to similar work when they work during the Christmas shopping period, although of course the circumstances are different.
A pair will be patrolling Tonbridge high street for the next 14 days during shopping hours while another pair will move between West Malling and Borough Green.
Managing director Tony Smith said: “We are supporting the retailers while they reopen and get back to some form of normality. Already this morning we have reunited a child running away from his mum."
The company will also support security staff at shops if any crime is committed.
Many shops have not got their full staff back and so may find it difficult to control the queues outside, Mr Smith’s employees will help with that.
"In my opinion, social distancing needs to remain in place. Although the numbers are dropping, we still need to to be safe. We could now see a spike with the opening of the shops," he said.
"Although the numbers are dropping, we still need to to be safe...
He added that he thought more people would be wearing masks in the town, although this is not mandatory.
There were several shops that are planning on opening later this week, such as Honee, a clothes shop and The Vintage Emporium.
Other shops such as Soles with Heart remained closed.
Monks & Co, a clothing store, announced it would not be reopening after the pandemic but will launch a website.
