WREXHAM Council is encouraging residents to support traders affected by enforced closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the news that the five-mile journey restriction has been lifted across Wales, residents are urged to shop in the town centre which is now open for business.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council, said: "They’re all waiting to welcome you back.

"Special attention has been paid to the town centre to make sure that you and traders remain safe while visiting the town centre.

"Shops have taken extra precautions to ensure social distancing and hygiene are in place and the town centre will look different.

"There’s signs on lampposts and the floor to help with social distancing and a one way system has been put in place on Bank Street with access from Hope Street to Henblas Street."

There will also be wardens around the town to remind shoppers to stay safe at all times.

Tŷ Pawb, General and Butchers Markets have all opened with one way systems in place and suitable social distancing reminders located around the buildings.

There will be a careful eye kept on numbers in the buildings at any one time and there will be a member of staff located at the entrance to each building to act as a meet and greet, as well as to offer guidance.

There are hand sanitising stations at the entrances to each building.

Tŷ Pawb’s toilets will be open but will have restrictions on the numbers able to enter at any one time.

The toilets on Henblas Street have now also re-opened with safety conditions in place, and are open between 9am to 4.30pm.

Car parking in council run car parks in the town centre remains free until the end of September, although they do ask visitors to observe the time limits in force to ensure popular car parks do not remain full all day.

If you are using the car parks you should also observe social distancing when necessary whilst getting in and out of your car.

Cllr Terry Evans, lead member for economic development, added: "It’s excellent news for the town centre traders who have rightly been very concerned for their businesses during the strict lockdown.

"Now is the time to re-open and for us all to give them our support.

"I have visited the town centre and markets and I am very impressed with the optimism of traders as they have been getting ready to welcome back customers old and new.

"Staff have worked hard in our markets and the town centre to ensure public and trader safety and we’ll be looking at further measures we can take to aid the recovery process as further announcements by Welsh Government are made about the businesses that are allowed to re-open.

"It’s important we all remain vigilant whilst out and about, Covid-19 is still amongst us and we do not want to see a return to lockdown now that we have made so much progress.

"I would like to thank everyone involved from traders to staff and the general public for their regard and attention to the health and safety of everyone visiting the town centre."

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, partners, public protection and community safety, said: "I’m particularly pleased that traders in Tŷ Pawb are able to re-open alongside the rest of the town centre businesses.

"They have a very loyal and supportive customer base who will, I am sure, be very happy to return and to see all the safety measures that have been put in place for everyone’s safety."