Great Dunmow’s town centre came back to life today after three months of lockdown, during which shops were forced to close to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

%image(15446960, type="article-full", alt="People queueing outside the post office in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

As more shops opened today (Monday, June 15), a record number of people could be seen on Great Dunmow’s High Street.

Signs to prevent the spread of the coronavirus were placed on the High Street as well as in shop windows.

Some advised people to keep a safe distance from each other of at least two metres, while others mentioned hygiene rules such as avoiding touching products.

One shop, Out There Sports, announced through a window poster that it does not believe it is safe for it to reopen just yet - scheduling its reopening for July 1.

%image(15446961, type="article-full", alt="Adults, children and dogs have all been social distancing as more shops opened in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

It was a sunny day, but many still wore protective masks and gloves.

An RSPCA volunteer, who was wearing an animal print mask, said: “You can’t see it, but I am smiling.”

Great Dunmow’s town mayor Michael Coleman said: “It was busier than normal for a Monday. The town was quite busy and bustling this morning, and did have a good feel about it.

“There were people queueing this morning at most of the shops. The Post Office was doing well and Dorringtons had a queue.

%image(15446964, type="article-full", alt="People queueing outside Dorringtons in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

“The town council had markings in place and advised people, and there is a special Dunmow poster in all windows.

“This is going to build up between now and the middle of July, when we hope places like coffee shops and bars will be open. No one enjoys shopping unless they can have a cofee and a piece of cake! This is the start of the ‘Great Dunmow back to business’ campaign.”

%image(15428095, type="article-full", alt="More shops reopened on Monday, June 15 as more people could be seen on Great Dunmow's sunny streets. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446971, type="article-full", alt="A woman wearing a protective mask walks past a High Street queue. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446973, type="article-full", alt="RSPCA volunteer outside the charity shop in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446976, type="article-full", alt="People queueing outside the RSPCA in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446978, type="article-full", alt="The RSPCA displayed a themed poster advising of social distancing and hygiene rules. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446980, type="article-full", alt="Woman wearing mask walks past the RSPCA in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446982, type="article-full", alt="Woman walking past sports shop in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446985, type="article-full", alt="Sign in a Great Dunmow sports shop window announced reopening on July 1. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446987, type="article-full", alt="Woman wearing protective gloves while carrying her shopping in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446988, type="article-full", alt="People could be seen coming in and out of a chemist in Great Dunmow. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446990, type="article-full", alt="Signs advising people of keeping a safe distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 were placed on Great Dunmow's High Street. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446992, type="article-full", alt="Signs advising people of keeping a safe distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 were placed on Great Dunmow's High Street. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15424764, type="article-full", alt="Two men could be seen planting flowers outside Foakes House, Great Dunmow Town Council. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446993, type="article-full", alt="Signs encouraging residents to shop local could be seen outside Great Dunmow's Town Council. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")

%image(15446995, type="article-full", alt="A coat of arms reading "May Dunmow prosper" on Foakes House, Great Dunmow Town Council. Photo: Andra Maciuca.")