A long-standing occasionwear store near the county border has announced its plans to re-open following difficulties faced through the coronavirus lockdown.

A long-standing occasionwear store near the county border has announced its plans to re-open following difficulties faced through the coronavirus lockdown.

To the dismay of many excited, engaged couples, thousands of weddings have been postponed due to lockdown.

These sort of events, alongside others including the racing at the Ascot, the Queen’s annual honours, and large scale garden parties which have all been postponed made up the “bread and butter” of summer events for stores like the Wedding Shop at The Barns in Ilketshall St Margaret, which provides occasionwear and millinery to those who want to look and feel their best on special days, including unique hats and fascinators which are made in store.

The store, owned and run by Jenny Stephenson, was forced to close through the coronavirus lockdown, but has announced it will reopen from Monday, August 3, with new measures in place.

“We have had to put a screen up in here, and with it only being me and another lady who helps out, we can distance inside quite easily,” Mrs Stephenson said.

The store will also be only allowing one customer at a time with one significant other allowed to visit with them, and is providing full PPE to customers.

Mrs Stephenson said: “A lot of weddings were postponed, but luckily I have had a very good three months. Occasionwear is seasonal and ladies tend to buy from Christmas to February when new stock comes in.

“We usually pick up in September through to the end of the year - thankfully lockdown came at a time we are usually quiet. Some people are on the bones of their business but we have been fortunate.”

Having been based at the barns for six years, and 21 years spent operating in Bungay, Mrs Stephenson added she was looking forward to welcoming customers back again.

“I wanted to wait longer than the government said we could open so people could have more confidence, I know bridal shops are open but it can’t be comfortable. When we open in another four to six weeks, it will just give that little bit of security to people.”

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