Shoppers flocked to town centres across Powys as further coronavirus restrictions were lifted in Wales today (Monday, April 12).
The long-awaited reopening of many non-essential retail businesses in Newtown was met with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Clare Hawkins, who runs The Fabric Shop in Market Street, said reopening for the first time since December had been "lovely but very strange".
"I’m a bit anxious, only because it has been such a long time. It's been mind blowing that we have been closed for 31 weeks.
"There’s been a steady flow of familiar faces. Everyone that’s come in has been gleeful. They have been waiting so long to come back. But by the end of the week it will be all systems go."
A little further down the street is The Badger Sett, a photography studio launched by Dan Badger during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said businesses and communities will be looking out for each other to keep the town centre thriving post-lockdown.
“It’s an exciting time for everybody on the high street, especially in Newtown and in small towns," Dan said.
"I think that in communities like Caersws, Llanidloes and Welshpool everyone pulls together and make sure that neighbours are good and small businesses, who are also neighbours, are good."
Newtown's only jewellers, J.A. Woodroffe, in Market Street is hoping the easing of restrictions such as reopening the border with England will see things "ramp up from now on" with tourists coming to the town.
Jen Oliver, manager, said: "It was lovely driving into town this morning seeing Rainbow’s End and the Card Factory back open. Town seems back to normal."
Jewellers assistant Elaine Orrells added: "If everyone supports local businesses, we will bounce back quite quickly."
While Chambers Clothing owner Craig Stephens said he is sceptical about what is ahead after a "difficult" few months.
"It’s good to be open but it's still a bit of a worry. It’s been a difficult period. We had all the stock ready for the Christmas week and then to be told that you had to close, it was devastating, and we’re still trying to recoup that now.
"Hopefully we will be OK once people realise we are open again and a bit of confidence is restored.
"I never realised until I became a shop owner how important it is to shop local, you always think it’s bigger and better elsewhere. Business owners in town are trying their best so the more people who support us, the more that will stay."
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