Work has been in full swing at The Parade Shops in preparation for reopening, after the independent shopping centre closed its doors due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The exterior of the building has been redecorated, plus there has been re-surfacing and works on their private car park.

There is a mixture of independent and individual businesses based in the historic building, which is just a couple of minutes walk from the top of Pride Hill. Some of the businesses are able to open again from mid June.

From the 15th June Crystal’s Cupcakes, Beadles, Salop Stamps, Second Chapter Books, Setonaikai, Bill Leighton Photography, Time Span, Kashmir and Silk, Salop Technology and Think Tank will be open to the public. The rest of the businesses will follow suit. The hair and beauty businesses need to wait until after the 4th July before they are allowed to tackle Shropshire’s overgrown lockdown locks.

Philip Freeman, proprietor of The Parade Shops, urges visitors to use common sense inside the building to social distance from other customers. The main doors at the front of the building and the side door on the lower ground level will be entrance only, and all other doors will be exit only. He adds, “We are delighted that we are able to open our doors again and we are doing everything we can to make it as safe as possible for our customers.

“We would be grateful to customers for being courteous to others and adhering to social distancing guidelines to ensure everyone can shop safely.”

“There is a feeling that public support for Shrewsbury’s small businesses is growing through what a has been a hugely challenging time for them, and I hope that fantastic sense of community support is extended to our collection of independent businesses here at The Parade Shops.”

The Parade Shops houses a mixture of businesses with fashion, gifts, food and specialist services, as well as a café overlooking the river, health and beauty salons and a pottery-painting studio. For more information visit www.paradeshops.co.uk.

The Parade Shops 190-year-old building gets ready to re-open

Crystal’s Cupcakes gets ready to re-open on the 15th June