The 'bounceback' begins: many shops now re-open in Leamington town centre

The parade has been closed off for road traffic meaning it is temporarily pedestrianised allowing for easier social distancing.

Shops such as House of Fraser and The Works were among the notable big name stores to re-open their doors for the first time in months.

In the Royal Priors there were large queues for Super-Dry and Sports Direct which are limiting the number of customers they can have in their stores at one time.

M&S in the shopping centre was another chain store which re-opened today.

Independent retailers have also re-opened including Rowley's Butchers in Warwick Street and Chapter and Verse clothing shops in Park Street.

Warwick District Council announced last week that the 27 car parks it manages, including the Covent Garden and Chandos Street car parks in Leamingtin town centre will remain free to use until August.

On the mass re-opening Steph Kerr, executive director of Business Improvement District (BID) Leamington, said: "Local businesses have been doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for this, including investing in safety measures to support social distancing, procuring PPE, and adjusting store policies on access, cleaning and more.

"This will also be supported by changes to the public realm and highways which will be implemented in the coming weeks as we transition.

“We are so proud of how our local businesses have adapted throughout this process and want to encourage the local community to support them wholeheartedly.

"This is just the beginning of a journey we will all make together, so we also want to foster the spirit of kindness, patience and understanding as we continue to adapt.

"There has never been a more important time to love Leamington, and we will continue to make information available on town centre websites and social media.”

For more information about shops in the town centre visit www.loveleamington.comTo watch the Facebook live video to show the town centre today click here.