Smiles and sunshine on a day of optimism in St Helens town centre

The happy faces did not just belong to the store owners, who have endured an arduous few months.

For there was joy among the shoppers too, back enjoying trips round the shops with friends, a spot of retail therapy, or a drink and chat outside in the sunshine.

Although some restrictions did remain, it was a day when the spirits were lifted, with fine, albeit chilly weather, brightening the mood.

Friends Pat, Linda and Norah are glad to be out and about and keen to support St Helens town centre

For friends Norah Pickavance, 71, Linda Peacock, 72 and Pat Clarke, 75, it was a chance to catch up and do something verging on normal after far too long spent apart.

A mooch around town, a purchase at ODs jewellers and a drink at the new Smokehouse by The Dean, on the outdoor seating at Barrow Street, made it a pleasant morning for these friends of more than 50 years.

Norah, from Haydock told the Star: "It's the first time in a long time we've met up. To be out and about just feels really good - and we want to back our businesses on the first day.

"We really want to support our hometown."

Checking out the menu at The Dean

Eddie Dean on the opening day of new restaurant Smokehouse by The Dean

A few yards from the three friends, hairdresser Mandy Miller, of Classy Cuts, was busy getting to work cutting the hair of customers on a list of bookings that runs for weeks.

Mandy Miller and Classy Cuts back in operation

For many, the opening of hairdressers or barbers after another lengthy shutdown, came as a big relief.

Mandy, who has had businesses in St Helens for 18 years and came through the recession of the late 2000s, says the pandemic has been undoubtedly the most challenging time of her career.

But she is fulsome in praise for the support given to business – especially the teams of support officers at St Helens Council – and called on those who knock the town centre to show the support it really needs.

"I'd say to people they have to support businesses – people moan about St Helens and say things like 'I'm going to Warrington' but can't they see by saying that they are killing the town?

"I'm fortunate to have a very loyal customer base – and we've used this period of lockdown to develop, with my girls doing various courses and training to offer more."

Chris O'Dea, at the fashion retailer ODs is a strong voice for retail in St Helens, and is another pushing the campaign not just for people to shop local, but to back independents.

Chris O'Dea and wife Helen, with dog Ruby, are delighted to have the doors of their businesses back open - pictures Bernard Platt

His business rode some of the storm of the past 12 moths because it was well advanced with its digital operations but its physical stores remain central to St Helens' retail offer.

"We employ 28 staff, 27 with St Helens postcodes – and we want to take on more as part of the Government's Kickstart scheme."

Asked for his message to Star readers, he says "Shop Local," before adding with a grin: "...and get your money out!"

But he is more serious when he discuss the future of the high street, saying that the lockdown has shown that you don't need to be an "Arcadia or Fraser's Group" and that people won't necessarily want to go to the "one-size fits all" retail parks as life continues to open up.

He adds: "I'm proud of Barrow Street, it's a hub of independents and there are no unoccupied units."

Chris believes that St Helens' independent sector can grow – and a it's view shared by window cleaner Stephen Harrison, who has been round the block in St Helens town centre for three decades and witnessed plenty of ups and downs.

Shoppers on Chuch Street in St Helens - pictures Bernard Platt

Stephen 53, is another delighted to see some sense of normality returning. He knows the fabric of the town centre well and points out to the Star that a number of empty units have been taken up during lockdown - by independents.

He tells the Star the days of the "big retail dinosaurs" could be over and that it could be a time "like 30 years ago" when it was small businesses that flourished.

A long-established small business that will hope that is the case is Sidewalk, run by brothers Phil and Mark Jackson. After a quiet start to the day, customer numbers were beginning to pick up at lunchtime when the Star visited.

With beer gardens opening up and al fresco dining becoming a key ingredient of socialising the store has been keen to stock items such as lightweight gilets and thin jumpers to cater for what customers might be looking for.

And they are hoping the prospect of shopping in stores, rather than via online orders, will entice customers back inside.

Mark says: "The message to customers is we hope they'll keep coming and support the town. We certainly hope we've seen the last of lockdowns."

There is also positive signs in the shape of new openings.

On Bridge Street, where the ground floor of the former St Helens Post Office has been split into a series of business units, mum-of-five Nicola Jones, 38, today opened Bambinos, a babywear and baby cribs shop.

"I've had a business in Liverpool for eight years," she says.

"But I like St Helens and have family and friends here and hopefully we will attract lots of customers here."

Around the corner there are more signs of change too, with builders grafting away on the new Imperial Quarter building on Brook Street. The venue, to open later this summer, will be a city-style street food and drink venue.

The Imperial Quarter under construction

It has become an easy past-time for some, particularly online users, to pull the town centre to pieces.

And there are few that will deny it faces huge challenges.

But there were lots of shoppers pleased to see that "St Helens is Open" today and the re-emergence of a stronger, independent sector could provide something to build on as the local economy looks to bounce back from the havoc wrought by the pandemic.