Shoppers urged to stay local as town centres start to reopen Date published: 07 April 2021 Shoppers should continue to wear face coverings Residents are being urged to shop local and support their high street safely as the borough’s non-essential retailers prepare to reopen. Shops, hairdressers, gyms and beauty salons are among the businesses allowed to reopen on Monday (12 April), alongside outdoor hospitality, as the gradual easing of restrictions continues. And, with businesses emerging from a challenging year of lockdowns, people who are planning to visit shops are being encouraged to stay local. Paul Ambrose, Rochdale BID manager, said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for our high streets and that’s why it’s more important than ever that we support them as we start to emerge from this pandemic. Our businesses contribute to the economy, culture and life of our wonderful town centres and spending money in your local area means more of it stays in the local economy, supporting local jobs.