Non-essential high street traders from across the Vale of Glamorgan have expressed how excited they are to reopen their shops from Monday 12th April.

With Covid-19 having had a huge impact on our local High Streets over the course of the last year, shops in Cowbridge, Penarth, Llantwit Major and Barry will be looking forward to welcome customers, old and new, through their doors for the first time in months.

Having been closed since before Christmas, local traders are excited about re-opening next week.

Sarah Legg from No.39 in Cowbridge says:

"At No 39 we really appreciated the support of our customers during lockdown, it meant an awful lot that you supported us during this time. We can't wait to see you all to say thank you in person! We'll be open 7 days a week!"

Sally Louise Jones from Pretty Vintage Things in Llantwit Major says:

"Pretty Vintage Things is so excited to be reopening on Monday. We have revamped the interior and it is brimming with fresh stock and we are ready to welcome you back."

Karen from Umpa Lumpa Sweet Shop in Penarth says:

"Thanks for your support. The team at Umpa Lumpa sweet shop is excited to welcome back our customers into a safe but fun environment! It will be lovely to hear the chatter and hustle and bustle in Windsor Arcade."

Fay Blakeley from Homemade Wales in Barry says:

"We're delighted to be reopening and are looking forward to seeing all our customers and community again. We're all restocked with work by our established makers, in addition to introducing some new makers to the Homemade Wales family.

"It's been a long winter, but we've used the time to consolidate our online offering, in particular our luxury hamper service. We've also created a new designated 'Pantry' area in a back room/part of the shop, which will allow customers to the bricks & mortar shop to pick their own hampers, whilst we wrap them at our new hamper wrapping station."

With the imminent reopening shoppers across the Vale of Glamorgan are being urged to "think local and support their high streets" as part of an ongoing campaign aiming to boost footfall following lockdown.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is calling on people to head to high streets in Barry, Cowbridge, Penarth and Llantwit Major in a bid to support businesses recovering from coronavirus.

The council is making the call as part of its Vale Town Centres campaign, which aims to aid high streets across the Vale which have seen trade seriously impacted since the pandemic outbreak in March 2020.

Nia Hollins from Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on all our lives, but for our nation's high streets it has been devastating.

"Independently run businesses are completely reliant on your support in order to survive – without that our high streets will never recover. As non-essential retailers reopen next week, we're asking locals to throw their full support behind our vital high streets.

"We'd encourage everyone to support this campaign by doing their bit to support businesses in Cowbridge, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major.

"Whether you're shopping for something big or small, everything helps. Please show your support and think local, they need you now more than ever."