MANY more St Helens businesses are set to open their doors from Monday, with many business leaders saying they are 'excited' to get back up and running.

It's been a manic year of lockdowns and restrictions in the name of safety while the UK, and indeed the world, fights against the Covid 19 pandemic.

This has not only impacted people's personal but also professional lives, with people working from home, businesses closing their doors, diversifying and some sadly closing forever.

However many have waited it out and are looking forward to welcoming the public back in from Monday, April 12, when restrictions are further eased in England.

Mandy Miller, owner of Classy Cuts Hairdressers on Barrow Street said: "I'm just really excited to be back open. All in all we've only been open for 16 weeks this year and it's been really hard.

"But the girls have used this time to do more training and we are excited to open and offer even more services to people.

"I'm hoping that we are at the end of this now and we can stay open.

"I'm fully booked up until the end of May and I've taken on two other girls, so we are really happy and looking forward to welcoming everyone back."

Another business owner looking forward to reopening is Ali Tyrer, owner of Ellamora.

She said: "I'm very excited to reopen the shop and feeling really positive as we have the normal procedures in place to keep everyone safe.

"We are even able to quarantine clothes that people have tried on, so people can do that and just relax and enjoy shopping.

"We will still be operating our Click and Collect and delivery services for those unconfident in coming out."

Ann Daniels, who owns Bridge Barbers in Rainhill said: "All the staff are really excited about reopening, I'm hoping it goes well and we've brought in an appointment system to make sure everyone stays safe.

"We launched a competition during lockdown asking people to send in pictures of their worst DIY hair dos and the worst one would win a free hair cut, so we are expecting some crazy haircuts on the day on Monday, but are looking forward to having people back."

Gary Maddock, town centre manager, said: "All our businesses are really excited to safely welcome people back to the town centres and neighbourhood centres. Obviously the last 12 months have been challenging but I think it's important we look to the future with some optimism. Over lockdown people have been keen to support independent businesses and are really interested in the stories and people behind the brands and products.

"The businesses, the Council and its partners and the local community have pulled together throughout the pandemic and I believe with further developments on the horizon throughout the Borough and working together we will make sure St Helens Borough is the vibrant and exciting place we all want it to be.

“The health and safety of everyone who visits our centres is our number one priority, as it has been throughout this crisis and we continue to follow and enforce the Government’s guidelines. The Council has been working tirelessly with our businesses to ensure they can re-open safely and the businesses deserve a huge thank you for all their hard work in preparing for this moment and would ask local people to continue to support these businesses as they have done throughout this pandemic. “