Hinckley town centre has become a lot busier in recent days as more shops have been allowed to open.
Changes to the coronavirus restrictions meant that shops selling non-essential items could open a week ago.
Many stores on Castle Street relaunched last Monday, while on the market more of the regular stalls have returned.
Greggs in The Britannia Centre has also opened its doors again, for takeaways only, with long queues seen outside the shop last Friday lunchtime.
Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, went on a tour of independent shops in the town centre last Friday, along with Steve Wegerif of Hinckley BID.
Mr Wegerif said: “It seems that from what retailers are saying, they have found that whilst some people may enjoy the ease and the novelty of shopping online, the lack of choice, true colour definition, size fit and service will drive people back to physically shop in town.
“Our job is to ensure that their ‘visit Hinckley’ experience is an enjoyable one.”
Gayner Johnson, who runs longtime lingerie shop Johnsons on Castle Street, received a visit from the group.
She said: “It’s been very busy, I’ve sold lingerie, nightwear, dresses, everything I stock.
“A lot of people have been waiting desperately for new bras and underwear and new clothes, because it’s been hot, and it’s going to be hot again this week.
“We were closed for three months so we lost three months’ trade, but we hope to recover that now during the next two months of July and August, selling all the stock, before we get the new stock in for winter.”
Asked if she was concerned for the future, she said: “I’m not worried, I think things will recover. You just have to stay very positive.”
Dr Evans also visited furniture store Jaspers, which was able to open on June 1, chartered surveyors and estate agents Wards, and menswear shop Philip James.
Popular gift shop Marmalade Meringue relaunched with a click and collect service on June 1 and reopened the shop on June 15, the same day it first opened the shop nine years ago.
A representative of the store said: “It’s amazing to be back and lovely to see all our fabulous customers, although it’s very difficult to gauge what it’s going to be like in the third or fourth week.”
The owners of Honey Buns sandwich shop said things had got a bit busier as more shops have opened, with some new customers coming in.
Their shop is on Station Road, where a line of parking bays has been pedestrianised to allow people more space to pass each other while maintaining social distancing.
Hand sanitiser dispensers are also in place on Castle Street while markers have been painted on the floor outside shops to encourage shoppers to stand apart as they queue.
Alternative gifts shop Aladdin’s Cave also reopened on June 15 - owner John Cullinane said footfall varied a lot in the first week because of the stormy weather, but that it was good to see many of his regulars coming in again.
