After 113 days, Cowbridge non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen yesterday as restrictions eased.

While some have survived through click and collect or deliveries, now customers are allowed in store to shop.

We spoke to local businesses to find out how they feel about reopening.

Owner of Coyoti Snow and Watersports Retailer Simon Parton told Nub News he was pleased to be open, but felt it was overdue.

"It's great being back open, but I think we should have been open before this if I'm totally honest," he said.

"To turn round and say we're not suitable to be open when Tesco and other large retailers are.

"The massive advantage you've got with a business like us is that I'm the owner, so I'm worried about my safety, and the shop's safety so I'm making all my staff and customers adhere to the right policies.

"I feel really sorry for the smaller shops around here that have bought Christmas stuff, because they're going to struggle and Cowbridge is going to change because of it.

"Unfortunately, I think a lot of people are going to suffer with no need. We should have been open months ago."

At homeware and garden shop No.39, Sharon Flanagan thought the staggered opening of high street venues was having an impact.

"To be honest, the high street hasn't been as busy as we thought it was going to be," said Sharon.

"People that are coming are buying though. I think people are trying to support us.

"It's definitely not as busy as when we opened last July, there was much more footfall then. But the difference is that the cafés were open then.

"Hopefully it picks up, because people come out for the experience. We feel that when they're allowed to serve coffee outside it will get busier."

King Fox owner Leila Thornton said she'd had a warm welcome back from customers.

"It's nice to be open and have a bit of routine in my life again," she said.

"People have come in and said nice things, and sent lovely messages thanking me for doing the windows throughout lockdown.

"It's genuinely good to see what people have to say, how they've been. Some people have used lockdown to their advantage, so to catch up with them is great.

"I've been so lucky that yesterday was busy, and it is again today."

For the Dog and Rider Boutique, today was the second day open in its new location in town, after moving from Tim Vaughn's racing yard in Aberthin.

"We've had a lot of people walk past and pop in to say hi, and meet the dogs. Today has been really good, so word of mouth is getting around.

"A lot of our customers who visited us at our old location have found us again here, which is great.

"We think a lot of people went to Cardiff yesterday, as it looked really busy there. So hopefully things will pick up."